September 3 1954 -
Easter Sunday, 2016
At home, in Nelson, in the early hours of Easter Sunday, Deb Glatiotis passed away, drifting into peaceful rest in the comforting arms and the loving touch of her beloved lifelong partner, always at her side.
The space of her absence has filled to the brim, from a well of deep sorrow overflowing within.
Anyone who knew Deb knows the loss of a totally devoted and love filled spirit, and of a compassionate and caring soul.
Deb was once a chemist, a researcher, an author, a geologist, and a teacher. On moving to Nelson, she transformed again, becoming a manager of medical aesthetics. Deb was taken by flowers, and loved her gardens, but she also enjoyed many outdoor pursuits. She was once a scuba diver and sailor, a sea kayaker, a horseman, a hiker and a skier. Deb was devoted to the practice of yoga, and yoga in turn gave her strength, peace and stillness. She was also once North American Women’s Skeleton Bobsled champion! She helped teach and coach future Olympians. Deb travelled the world, but loved so much more that she had been finally drawn to the beauty of the Kootenays, and life in Nelson.
Most of all, though, Deb devoted herself to Love, and nurtured a very special and close life-long relationship with her soulmate and husband, Mike. Together, they were whole, to the exclusion of almost everyone and everything else, they lived their life of Love with a rare intensity and steadfast companionship. Sadly, breast cancer took its toll after an eight-year war, which was marked by many battle victories, however pyrrhic. The greatest blessing of the fight was the time that the battle gave, for Deb, to give in turn, to extend her compassionate and loving care to her parents as they each in turn passed on in this journey of life.
Deborah Anne was born to Russ and Eva Nelson in Three Hills, Alberta, on September 3, 1954. Debra Anne married Mike, in the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand; an epic travellers wedding extravaganza, on January 25 to January 28, 1989, after a courtship of six adventurous years, as Deb. The spell of their Love was cast over almost 33 years. The depth of that Love and the Sorrow of that parting seem equal parts eternal. Deb is survived by her husband Mike, and her brother Tom (Joy) Nelson, of Calgary, her beautiful, perfect niece, Saige, and her very special BCSPA black and white polka dot cat, Mook. Deb was so grateful for the loving care, provided so consistently, and for so long, by everyone at Kootenay Lake Hospital and BC Cancer Agency. They are too many to name, but the blessings that you all brought, with your compassion and knowledge and understanding, is salve for those of us who journeyed with her, and was certain comfort as Deb and Mike faced this uncertain challenge, together…....
Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca
Megan Johnson of Thompson Funeral Service has been entrusted wit the cremation arrangments.