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DEBORAH (DEBBIE) BLASH
1950-2023
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Debbie Blash on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023, surrounded by her family and in the arms of her husband. She was an amazing woman, wife, mother and “grammie”. Debbie was a caring, strong, resilient and fierce protector and proud supporter of her family. She deeply and unconditionally loved her husband, children, their spouses and treasured grandchildren. Debbie was loved beyond words and will be always missed and remembered by many. Deb’s joy of life, personality, smile and sparkling eyes were infectious and brightened any room and peoples’ hearts, making everybody feel welcome, safe and comfortable.
Debbie was a modest, accomplished woman who made significant contributions throughout her years that positively impacted her family, friends and the lives of many children, colleagues and people in many communities. Certainly, her priority and focus in life was her family and her absolute pride in them. “Grammie” particularly treasured and looked forward to spending time with her precious grandchildren, Jordyn, Kennedy, Avery and Boston, enjoying playing games, doing arts and crafts, reading, telling original oral stories, doing lego and puzzles, cooking, going for walks, and playing at the cottage and beach. Debbie also enthusiastically pursued her passions: Traveling, including every province in Canada, 21 U.S. states, Mexico, various Caribbean Island countries, and eleven European countries; The pursuit of being the best educator she could be; Engaging her creativity and love for art and becoming a talented amateur artist; Being an active volunteer with various organizations, programs and events at the community, provincial, national and international levels; Enjoying the cottage and social life at Diefenbaker Lake; Enjoying the comradery and challenge of golf and curling; and last but not least enjoying great parties.
Debbie was born and raised in Regina, SK and received her Bachelor of Education (special education major) and Masters of Education (curriculum development) Degrees from the University of Regina. She was an educator and administrator during her 35 years with the Prairie South School Division in Moose Jaw. She was also a Faculty Advisor at the Faculty of Education, University of Regina, working with the student teacher placement program. Her goal was always to strive to provide the best possible opportunities for her students and support for her colleagues, which earned their respect and admiration. Her family, friends and colleagues refer to her abounding energy, love of life, wonderful sense of humor, creativity, loyalty, confidence and optimism under all circumstances, dedication, compassion, understanding, warmth, and most of all her immeasurable inner strength and faith against all odds. She was recognized as a leader, mentor, an inspiration, master educator, a problem solver, a mediator an organizer and – a Champion in so many ways.
Debbie is survived by her beloved husband Vern, cherished children, daughter and son-in-law Lori and Jamie Stushnoff, son and daughter-in-law Chad and Nadine (Immel) Blash, adored grandchildren, Jordyn, Kennedy and Avery Blash and Boston Stushnoff, loved sister and brother-in law Marianne and Jim Holt, dear brother Danny Eaglestone, loving brother-in-law Siegfried Bierer, nephews Jason (Jen) Connery and Sandro (Katie) Bierer and grand nephews and nieces. Debbie was predeceased by her parents, Tom and Isabelle Eaglestone, mother-in-law, Kate “Pete” Blash and sister-in-law and “bestie” Monica Bierer.
In 2017 Debbie suffered a severe stroke and while she lived at home, it was with the tremendous support from four wonderful health facilities. The family would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Hunter, medical staff, nurses, therapists, and professional support staff of the Neuro Ward at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, and the 7th floor Rehabilitation Unit, Saskatoon City Hospital; Dr. Rau and the ICU staff and the medical, nursing, therapy and professional support staff of the 6f ward, Regina General Hospital; and her friend and long term physio, Melanie of Nomad therapies in Saskatoon. Their expertise, support, dedication, caring and compassion for Debbie and the family after Debbie’s stroke in 2017, along with her personal inner strength, resilience and determination enabled her to live at home to enjoy a meaningful life, and the skills to meet and overcome the challenges she faced over the past 6 years. A special thank you to Dr. Bortolotti, Dr. Howe, all of the medical staff, RN Debbie Flegel and all the nursing staff, and support staff and professional staff of both the 3rd floor Medical Unit and the ER. of the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital for their support and dedicated efforts on different occasions over the past few months. Your professionalism, expertise, standards of care excellence, support, caring, kindnesses, compassion, warmth, understanding and love given to Debbie, her husband and family are so very much appreciated and hard to praise in mere words. Thank You to all of you and to all the health care front line workers who helped Debbie immensely, you are amazing and are second to none. Be proud of yourselves.
The family is grateful for and thank all the friends and colleagues who have supported Debbie and the Family in so many ways over the past six years. You are dear to our hearts and special people. In particular, the family wants to thank Brent and Linda Boechler and family, for their ongoing extraordinary support, understanding, love, kindness and always being there for us for any of our needs. To Randy Magno and Melinde Millama – Thank you for who you are. For being there to help care for Deb on an ongoing basis, for your genuine compassion, support and love. We are blessed to have Brent and Linda and the Boechler family, Randy and Melinde as a real part of the extended Blash Family. You are exceptional. Everybody has made the last six years joyful, meaningful and hopeful for Debbie and gave her the added strength, resilience and faith to meet her ongoing challenges. God Bless. Deb was a gift from God. Now, after a full life of 72 years, it is now time to return the wonderful gift to God. May a flight of Angels take you on their wings to your sweet rest in heaven with the Lord God and his son Jesus Christ. We carry you with us always- in our hearts, souls and memories forever.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 1st, 2023 at Church of Our Lady, 566 Vaughan Street, Moose Jaw, SK. Interment to follow at Rosedale Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Reception will follow at the Grant Hall Hotel, Banquet Room, 401 Main Street N, Moose Jaw, commencing at 2:30 p.m. on April 1st 2023. Debbie we love you “to the moon and back in a rocket ship a billion times”- you are loved and remembered forever. We will be together forever. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Cara Ashworth, Intern Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com