Obituary of Debra Machin

June 20, 1965 - Bolton, Manchester, England

October 25, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Debra Machin, beloved wife of Carl Machin, passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021 at the age of 56 years. You will always be in my heart and by my side.

Debra was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK on June 20, 1965. In 1989, Debra moved to Zimbabwe where she lived for almost a year working as a teacher. Debra graduated with a B.Sc. Honours 2:1 Computer Science major and Business Studies minor in 1994. Whilst working as a computer programmer for Greater Manchester Police in 1995, Debra met and married Carl Machin on December 2, 1995, after only dating each other for a few months. On April 8, 1996, Debra gave birth to a baby girl who they named Charlotte Danielle Machin. Debra loved travelling. She had travelled to Egypt, Cyprus, Crete, France, Spain, The United States, and Canada. Her most memorable vacation was when she holidayed in Egypt 1992. One of her favourite quotes that will stay with me for life was “I like to make sure I get a lot of rest so I will be bright eyed and bushy tailed” for the following day. In March 2002, Debra immigrated to Canada with her husband Carl and daughter Charlotte. In 2005, Debra began working for Alberta Health Services, where she held numerous positions, the most recent being an IT Analyst. She remained in their employment for sixteen years.

Debra had a love for cats, which carried on through our years of marriage. Her first cat was named Tinker, and after Debra and Carl immigrated, they adopted a cat and named him Monty. When Monty passed, they adopted another Himalayan and named him Merlin. Debra and Carl had nicknames for each other; Carl’s nickname was dog and Debra’s nickname was cat, which were used whenever they emailed or messaged each other. Sometimes when Carl had done something silly, Debra would call him silly dog.

Debra was the youngest of three daughters, and is survived by her two sisters, Anne Trevor of Liverpool, UK, and Janet Renshaw of Bolton, UK; her daughter, Charlotte Danielle Machin, her two brothers-in-law, Frank of Liverpool, UK, and Alan of Bolton, UK; as well as her nephews, Michael and Adam Trevor, and Jamie and Craig Renshaw.

From Charlotte, Debra’s Daughter

My Mum enjoyed watching tennis and loved to watch Wimbledon. She also liked to bake and made desserts like Lemon Meringue Pie and Chocolate Eclairs. When she was at school, she enjoyed gymnastics and wanted to be a gymnast. My Mum’s favourite colour was lilac and her favourite restaurant is called Helna Stube in Radium, British Columbia. One of the hiking trails my Mum hiked up in the U.K. is named Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and in the United Kingdom. As a family, we went hiking (some of the hiking trails we went on are called Castle Mountain, Red Earth Creek and Rock Bound Lake), camping (we went camping a lot in British Columbia) and picnicking. My Mum called me an angel and mama will always will be a beautiful angel.

From Anne & Janet, Debra’s two loving sisters

Our little sister, Debra, we are so proud of you. Despite losing your parents at an early age, you made your way in the world with such energy and determination. You achieved your ambitions to travel, eventually settling in Canada where you created the loving home for your family. All the photos and emails we have shared over the years makes us feel like we have seen the places you loved, like Banff and the wildlife and scenery of the great outdoors. You were also strong and courageous in your battles with serious ill-health, having the tenacity of spirit to pursue your IT career and study for exams at the same time. You deserved to reach a retirement in which you could look back with satisfaction on a life well lived, but it was not to be. We will always remember you preciously within our hearts, which have been broken but heal stronger to honour your memory.

Anne & Janet xxxx

From Lesley, Debra’s lifelong best friend

I first met Debbie in January 1988 when we both attended a Computer Programming course. I was 22 and Debbie 23 years old and we soon became best friends. We both enjoyed going out on the weekends and listening to live rock music. We were young and having the time of our lives. I remember when we travelled to Glasgow by coach to watch Bon Jovi, we were both so excited to see him and had the best time ever. A memory I’ll never forget especially as we got quite close to Bon Jovi at one point when he was swung in the air from the main stage over to a small podium in the middle of the arena floor. We both ran over to where he was, and I still remember seeing Debbie’s big smile as she gazed up at him 

The following year Debbie moved to Zimbabwe, and I moved to London, but we kept in touch and regularly wrote to each other. Eventually we both ended up back in Bolton and started going out again. Debbie planned for us to go out one night with a few of her colleagues whom she had become friendly within her new job at GMP, one of them being Carl. They hit it off and had a whirlwind romance and when they decided to tie the knot, she asked me to be her Bridesmaid. They had a beautiful wedding and then along came their beautiful daughter Charlotte who was so adorable and still is 

We always kept in touch when she immigrated to Canada nineteen years ago and we met up when they came over to the UK. Debbie was my best friend and I will miss her so much. She was beautiful, intelligent and a very loyal friend and we shared lots of happy times together. I have some great memories over the years which make me smile when I reminisce. Every time I play or hear Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” I’m instantly thrown back to being in Glasgow with Debbie watching him performing live, one of many memories I will cherish forever. You were the best Debbie, Rest In Peace my beautiful friend. Lesley xxxxxxx 

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Gordon Jackson presiding. Those attending will be asked to confirm one of the following, (A) COVID vaccination (date requested), OR (B) a negative COVID test (within 72 hours), OR (C) Medical exemption AND valid government identification (with name & date of birth) OR (D) Under 12 years of age. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Debra Machin a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.