Obituary of Deborah Lorraine Nash

We sadly announce the death of Deborah “Deby” Lorraine Nash at Fredericton Hospice House on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Born on July 15, 1952, Deby was predeceased by her parents (Dorrit and Hedley) and her sister (Diane).  She is survived by her sister, Denise of Montreal, and numerous cousins within the Fredericton area.

 

Deby’s family history is a long and well documented one.  The Nash family had a documentary movie made about them entitled THE DANCE, and have also been written about by Melynda Jarratt in her book on War Brides. They were a very interesting family in that Dorrit was an Austrian Jew (who arrived in England at a young age via Kindertransport) and Hedley was a black Canadian soldier.  The couple met in England and formed a friendship over the years that led to marriage.  Dianne, the eldest child, was born in England.  After the war, the family returned to Fredericton, where they established a home on the Northside and had two more daughters, Denise and Deby.  The girls were educated in Fredericton and went on to higher education, becoming teachers and journalists.

 

Deby had a very interesting life.  She lived in the Bahamas for a number of years, and earned her living as a freelance journalist working for the BBC and the Associated Press.  She contributed articles to Bahamian tourism guides, authored cookbooks, taught English as a second language, and worked in the Bahamian prison teaching the prisoners reading and writing skills.  She returned home to care for her ailing mother, and was employed for a number of years with the federal government (CFB Gagetown) and the provincial government (Department of Health).

 

As we all know, Deby had many health issues and she battled these courageously for many years.  She became an advocate for herself and many others facing critical illness issues, always researching and keeping up to date on the latest innovations.

Finally her body said “enough”, and she quietly slipped away at Hospice house surrounded by friends who kept constant vigil by her bedside the last few weeks of her life.

 

Deby was a little lady who lived a large life.  Always active, always outgoing, active in her faith and the arts, and travelling to see her favorite dancers in Montreal. She always had a smile or a joke, no matter how bad she may have felt, and she was always so very kind to everyone she met.

 

Deby, you are dearly missed, and loved.  We are grateful to have had you for the short time you were here.  Fly high, free from pain.  Enjoy your next life to the very fullest!

 

If you wish, donations may be made in Deby's name to the NB or Canadian Kidney Foundation, The Unitarian Fellowship of Fredericton, or a charity of the donor's choice.