My very sincere condolences to Debbie’s family. Debbie’s passing is such a tragedy, and I was deeply saddened to hear this news. I was one of the canasta ladies and although I grew up hating card games, when I was invited to join Debbie, Cathy and my sister Randi I thought i would give it a try. And I stayed! Very much due to Debbie’s wonderful sense of humour, and warm personality. So many laughs were shared on those nights that they will always be dear to my heart. Debbie was a very special person whom will be terribly missed by many, including myself.

I only just returned from an extended time away. I was shocked to hear of Deb’s passing. She brought the concept of community engagement to Communities in Bloom in a big way! We will all miss her and her incredible positivity.

I got to know Debbie well when I was invited to play Canasta. And what fun times those were, we were competitive but not super serious, so there were oh so many laughs, and wonderful food!

What a wonderful friend you have been Debbie, and I shall miss you very much. I still cant believe you are gone. My condolences to Brittni, Gary, Shelley and family. Hold on to your memories! Debbie was the best!

I’m so grateful that Deb stepped into my life and stayed for so long!

We met in the fall of /91 (Little) Gary and our daughter were in the same kindergarten class…and grade 1 class, and 2, 3, 4, etc. Cassie and Gary became friends and so did Deb and I. After many sleepovers (the kids – not Deb and I), and as play times increased with the 3 of them – because adorable little Brittni, who went along with anything and was just so darn cute, quickly became a welcome addition to sleepovers and play times - Deb was the first (non family member) person I trusted to take care of our daughter when her dad and I went out of town (lucky Deb eh?) This was a big step for me. I wholeheartedly trusted her as a person and a super-mom!

At some point in 1994, Deb & I and other moms we had become acquaintances with, formed a Canasta club and began to play at each other’s houses once a month. The evening would finish around midnight and every month Deb and I would be off to Tim’s (on the corner of 17th & 37th) for another couple of hours…wow we would never survive that now! Randi was a fun addition to the group and shortly after Shelley and family moved to Calgary we were happy to have her join too – always fun when it was her turn to host and we were suddenly immersed into ‘pet-land’! This monthly fun continued for me until I moved out of town years later. The game went on with Deb, Maggie, Linda and Danielle. When covid hit, someone discovered the game existed online and Deb invited me to rejoin the group! This meant Randi, who had moved from Calgary a couple of years before me could be back in her seat again too! We enthusiastically began to play weekly!

I loved Deb’s dry and witty sense of humor. One night (okay on more than 1 night), I lost every game. She looked me in the online eye and serious yet casual like, told me I had a whole week to practice and get better before our next game! Ha-ha yup, so funny. There was so much laughter amongst the 4 of us, together in person AND online, whether Deb, Randi and I were playing with Maggie, Linda (who also lived in ‘pet-land’), or Shelley, I will NEVER NEVER forget these times. Deb played Canasta till September/21 – and of course it hasn’t been, nor will it ever be the same without her.

Deb and fam joined us more than once on a camping trip and although it was great fun for the kids – dear Deb – what a trooper – turned out it was just NOT her cup of tea! She was happily and conclusively a Hotel/Spa/massage/mani/pedi/facial kind of gal! On her very last camping adventure she sped into the campground and quickly dumped all her camping equipment in a pile, in order to rush halfway back to town to pick up Shelley and fam whose van had somehow stopped working on the side of the highway…to bring them -and ALL THEIR camping equipment on to the campground. Poor Shelley, poor Deb. The kids were teens by now (and Brittni was ‘Brinn’) and they and their cousins, Cassie’s cousins, and invited friends had great fun rafting on the river all weekend!

The Bowerings lived in ‘just a few’ houses over the years and I remember Deb’s hard work in making each house a home for Gary and Brittni. She created comfort for them, with beauty and style inside and out for the next buyer! She had exceptional interior and landscaping design skills – and wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty to physically and creatively accomplish what she set out to. Later, Shelley, who is also skilled, creative and hardworking, joined Deb and they became a renovating - house flipping team!

The woman could put ANYTHING together – with or without instructions! She could master anything from Ikea with her eyes closed! I watched Deb more than once succeed in some pretty complicated and/or challenging endeavors and I’m pretty sure I heard her mom claim bragging rights for passing that ability on to her daughter.

The last memory I have to include is a very important one. She just seemed to put in a little more effort and work a little harder than anyone else in any situation. Oh what a person Debra Gail Bowering was!

I will, as time goes by, remember more about my friend Deb – but for now this is what I can give the 3 of you. I cherish all of these memories and will never forget her.

Sincerely, Cathy

Very saddened to hear of Deb’s passing.

It was such a joy to work with her at FortisAlberta. She always had things so well organized for when our departments worked hand in hand, that made my portion of the job flow seamlessly.

Tremendous human being in all aspects! Thanks Deb for being you!

Truly sorry to hear about the passing of your mom, she was a wonderful person and I had the privilege of working with her for a number of years. She was always positive with a smile, exceptional at her work providing satisfaction to our customers and always brightened when she talked about her family and travels. She will be missed but her memories remain. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Merlin MacNaughton

My deepest condolences to Brittni, Gary and the entire family. I was fortunate to have your Mom in my life as one of my dearest friends for almost 15 years. I have many great memories to hold on to. Whether we were going to Vegas to have some fun, playing a round of golf with the girls, celebrating a birthday over dinner and good wine, or hanging out doing angel card readings with our friends between laughs and a lot of wine and cheese, we always had a great time and made great memories. Deb was one of the kindest, positive people I have ever known and even when she was fighting the biggest battle of her life, she always found a way to celebrate the good things. Your Mom was so proud of you and you were often the topic of conversation as she shared with us those proud moments. FortisAlberta may have brought us together, but it was a special friendship that kept us together. I will miss your Mom and the wonderful times we had but I know that the memories of her will live on forever. Heaven got one of the best and while she left us way too soon, she is an angel watching over all of us now and I am sure she's raising a glass of wine, smiling down on us.

I will dearly miss my friend and work colleague for many years. She brought her energy and enthusiasm to everything she did. She was a force to be admired and as I continue to work with the charities she carefully built relationships with, I see that she had the respect of many partners across our entire province. To Gary, Brittini and Philip, I can only imagine the loss you are feeling. Let her legacy of positivity, humour and determination live on in us all. Hugs to you. Mona

My deepest sympathies for your loss, Brittni & Gary (and Deb's siblings). I feel I was very privileged to have known your mom - first as a colleague at FortisAlberta, and then as our friendship continued and deepened over the decade after I left there. She was always 'up' for almost anything - we hiked, XC'd, walked, and drank our share of wine. She was so proud of both of you, and happy that you both seem to have found your way in this world of ours. She was a beautiful person, inside and out, and will be sorely missed!

Gary and Brittni, our thoughts are with you during this very sad time. All Our Love, Auntie Donna and Uncle George.

My deepest condolences Brittni, Gary and all of Deb's family. I will truly miss her and our fun times on the golf course. ❤️

Love and hugs, Elizabeth

I did write up a tribute to Deb... on our RV adventures.

http://bettsandrene-rvadventures.com/2022/04/23/gone-too-soon/

Gary and Brittni – I had the great privilege of working with your Mom for many years. Whether it was arranging Junior Achievement or a community barbeque, she was the tall to my short, the calm to my "not so calm". Due to the wonders of autofill, she often got email meant for me, and I for her. There weren’t many weeks where there wasn’t an “I think this one is yours” between us. Deb was one of the most positive people I’ve ever known, and she will be greatly missed. Cherish your memories of her.

It was such a pleasure to have met this beautiful soul. Taken away, way to soon..

My sincere sympathy to the family. May you cherish the memories in your hearts forever.

Cindy Lavigne

My condolances to Deb's family. She one of the greatest volunter coordinators I have ever known and I had the ability to volunteer with her in many events & she is just the best, hard working, caring & compassionate lady. I will miss her and now we all have her as a beautiful guiding bright angel of Love!

Years ago I contacted Deb for a raffle prize for the Spruce Grove Kinettes. She sent me this beautiful gift basket. Well, I put it in my wife's car to deliver it the next day but forgot to lock the car and it was stolen.I called Deb to thank her and let her know what happened with full intentions to replace it myself, but a couple days later there was another basket waiting for me. She was my kindred contact for all volunteer matters afterwards. Just the kind of person she is...

I pray for peace and comfort to her family through this painful time.

Beautiful pictures and remembrance. Deb will be so missed and I am grateful to have known her for so many years. All the talks and work events and laughter bring so many memories. Sending love to those she loved.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Deb as she spearheaded much (or all) of the Make-A-Wish Foundation work. She had amazing positive energy and an uplifting spirit that was contagious. I feel lucky to have shared this time with her and I know she'll be missed by many.

So saddened to hear about Deb. From the first moment I met her, which was at the job interview at FortisAlberta, I knew she was special. A talented communicator, a creative problem solver, a wonderful colleague and one of the most positive people to be around - she made everyone around her (especially me) better. My deepest condolences Brittni and Gary for your loss. You Mom had a lasting impact on so many of us - she will be missed.