Deborah Elaine (Collins) Guinn
January 29, 1957 – October 11, 2023
“Debbie”
After a long battle with M.S. and with family by her side, Debbie Elaine Guinn succumbed to her illness.
Debbie was born in Minnedosa, Manitoba on January 29, 1957 to Jack and Joan Collins. They moved to Brandon a short time after. There, she grew up with siblings Linda, Janice and David, and family dog Ginger on 12 Whillier Drive.
Debbie attended Valley View School, and completed her High School at Vincent Massey. In 1974, she met Clark Guinn at Delta Beach while on a camping trip with her sister Linda. Debbie and Clark dated until 1975 when they got engaged. They married on March 6, 1976 at Grace Lutheran Church in Brandon, and then settled in Portage to start their life together. Debbie and Clark had two children; daughter Jaclyn and son Craig.
For many years, Debbie worked as Secretary and Receptionist for InterCity Gas. Then after closing, Debbie started working at Fanny Fabrics, then Shimmel’s Bakery and later Carlton Cards with part time work at Guinn and Simpson Memorials. Debbie worked as long as she could until her M.S. progressed and no longer allowed her to.
Debbie’s life centered on her Family. She loved spending time visiting and over the years was able to travel to many different locations with Clark and their kids. They enjoyed trips to Delta. She loved crafting and sewed many Halloween costumes and other pieces of clothing. She was a very talented artist and crafted painted wooden items as well as ceramic animals, figures and many other pieces.
She enjoyed spending time with her close friend Linda Orr, and the two of them spent countless hours crafting many beautiful wooden and ceramic items. Debbie was also very fortunate to have maintained a lasting friendship with childhood friend Muriel Stocki, and Portage friends Carol and Robert Wishart. Many enjoyable visits and vacations took place with these mentioned friends.
Debbie was predeceased by her parents Joan (Taylor) and Jack Collins, mother and father-in-law Marie (Kitson) and Murray Guinn, and brothers-in-law; Gordon Green and Terry Guinn.
Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of 47 years, Clark, daughter Jaclyn (Lowell) May and their son Donovan, son Craig (Tammy) and their daughters Jessica (Kirk) and Brittney (Tristan), her sister Linda Green, sister Janice (Rick) Webb, and brother David Collins, sisters-in-law; Cynthia (Ken) Yablonowski and Diana (Dave) Miller, brothers-in-law; Rodger (Marion) Guinn and Brent (Shirley) Guinn as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Portage Home Care, many of whom have become close friends to both Debbie and Clark, to the staff at Dufferin Villa, to Dr. Finney and all the staff at Portage Hospital for their exceptional care, to Emily Gray and the palliative care team, thank you for the compassion and care given in Debbie’s final days and to the staff at Omega Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made in Debbie’s honour to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada – Manitoba Division, 1465 Buffalo Pl.#100, Winnipeg, MB R3T 1L8, or to Sunset Palliative Care Inc., 40 Royal Rd. N., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1V1.
Funeral Service will be held at Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Rd. S., Portage la Prairie on Tuesday, October 17th at 1:00 p.m. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service starting a 12:00 noon.
Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com.
Omega Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.