BAKER, Deborah Anne April 13, 1957 – January 1, 2022 After a valiant battle with cancer, Debbie passed away at the age of 64, with her beloved life partner, Linda, by her side. While the pandemic prevented them from being there in person to say goodbye, Debbie was in the hearts and thoughts of her many friends and family. At the death of her mother Margaret, her father Joseph, and her sister-in-law Karen, Debbie leaves behind a great and loving family: her loving wife Linda, her sister Diane (Martin), her in-laws Willie (Lisa), Mike, Chris, and Steve. (Laurie), nieces and nephews Meagan, Amanda, Sarah (Anthony), Andrew, Stephanie (Will), Kristian, Lily, Elliot, Dylan, Shane and Sarah, and great nieces Luana and Adelyn, whom he adored and loved beyond measure . Debbie was also Scout and Juts’s longtime aunt and never turned down the opportunity to care for the dog. Debbie met the love of her life, Linda DeAngelis, 39 years ago, and the two spent most of their time together living in Mississauga. Everyone who knew them knows how deeply they loved one another; they really were the better half of the other. They did everything together and shared a passion for family, friends, food, and travel. On a sunny afternoon in September 2021, Debbie and Linda finally tied the knot in a beautiful outdoor ceremony, surrounded by their closest and dearest friends and family, including those from Zoom. It was a perfect day. Although Debbie grew up in Etobicoke, Nova Scotia held a special place in her heart. He always enjoyed visiting his extended family. She was a voracious reader of anything but books, including obituaries and every page of every flyer. He was always on top of the latest news, facts, and gossip and would have been a star on Jeopardy. She was a talented softball pitcher, but she certainly wasn’t a great running back – hence why her team dubbed her “Leader.” Debbie was such a good athlete, yet she never cared about being teased. Debbie worked as a postman for Canada Post for 30 years before retiring at the age of 60. She was well known and loved by the people on her route, who always greeted her with smiles and “thank you”, too. like some festive treats at Christmas. Second only to her beloved Scouts and Juts, Debbie loved giraffes. His collection could be found throughout the house, from dozens of giraffe-shaped statues and magnets to a giant papier-mâché giraffe. Debbie loved to travel and was happiest when she was lying on the beach in the sun, listening to music in Spanish with a towel on her head. He enjoyed many trips to the islands and lived his best life sailing the Mediterranean with Linda and her best friends. Debbie and Linda always had a trip in the works and made a lot of their trips before retiring; insisting that there is no better time than the present for new adventures. Nothing loved Debbie more than chatting with strangers, who would soon become friends. She loved sharing drinks while dancing and singing the night away, surrounded by friends new and old. Debbie was endlessly calm (after all, her favorite word was “whatever”) and spontaneous. She was always up for anything and never missed an opportunity to have fun. Debbie’s ability to express love and make people feel special was evident in her many strong relationships. Whether it was a new friendship or one that lasted over 30 years, Debbie was always there for the people she cared about. Her family and friends were everything to her, and she loved nothing more than being surrounded by their love and their laughter. Many have appreciated the photos of Debbie holding a cold one, with a big smile on her face that says a lot about how much she loved life. She will be remembered for her big heart, kind smile, love of music and being goofy, fierce determination, and her trademark stubborn streak. If anything, it has left us all with a greater sense of how to live our best lives. A special thanks to the amazing team at Credit Valley Hospital: Dr. Higgins and his nurse Audrey, for their endless hope and support; Dr. Wan and Dr. Harild and their team, who went out of their way to make sure Debbie was comfortable. In the spring there will be a celebration of Debbie’s life. Donations to the charity of your choice in memory of Debbie would be appreciated. “I’m still standing, better than ever …”
Posted by Toronto Star on Jan 4, 2022.