Keeler Centre
80 Division Street, Colborne
This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Debbie Anne Rutherford announces her passing at Northumberland Hills Hospital, Cobourg on September 19th, 2023 in her 68th year. Debbie passed away surrounded by family, after a heroic battle with cancer. She was the beloved daughter of Aileen and the late Doug Rutherford. Debbie will be sadly missed by her siblings, Wayne Rutherford (Nancy), Linda Walas (Mark), and Greg Rutherford (Sue). Loving Aunt to Jenny (Chris), Nikki, Jacquie (Steve), Johnny (Andrea), Mackenzie, Julia, Elliott, Michael. Predeceased by nephews Josh and Jordan. Cherished Great Aunt to Carson, Ahna, Scotty, Sloane, Josh, David, Charlie, and Jack.
Debbie was born October 30th, 1955 and grew up in Colborne. After graduating from East Northumberland Second School and attending Loyalist College, she pursued a business career in Toronto. Debbie had true passion, strong work ethics and was always first to lend a helping hand. After retuning to Colborne in 2009 much of her focus turned to the outdoors and landscaping. Debbie loved a project from her boulevard wild flower garden to home makeovers; she always had a tool for the job.
Anyone wishing to make a donation please consider Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation. It was Debbie’s wish for her Celebration of Life to be held at the Keeler Centre in Colborne. Please join the family on Sunday October 1st from 2-5pm. Words of remembrance will held at 3 pm.
Aileen, and family; I was heartbroken to hear of your loss. Know that Debbie is forever in your hearts and the years she spent in Colborne since 2009 were gave you the gift of time which nothing can replace. I am so sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing.
Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of your dear daughter and sister Debbie. Our sympathy and prayers are with you. Chris and Chris Dingsdale
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Aileen, saddened by the news of Debbie’ s passing. Thoughts are with you and the family.
Debbie I will really miss your indomitable spirit.
Dear Aileen, Wayne & Nancy, Linda & Mark, Greg & Sue and families. Please except our sincere condolences. I cherish many fun memories with Debbie. She was strong willed and helped so many people. She is now at peace after a courageous fight. Sending love, strength and prayers. Cindy & Jamie Hickman
Dear Aileen and family, Debbie has touched the hearts of so many and will never be forgotten. You are all in our thoughts. With love and our deepest sympathy, Lisa & Steve
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
To Aileen and family please accept our condolences on the passing of Debbie. We are thinking about you at this difficult time.
Debbie was one of the best friends I have ever known. She was always there for me when I needed her and I will miss her very much.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Just returned from holiday to hear the sad news Aileen. We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers & thoughts are with you & the family.
Aileen and Family I have so many fun memories of growing up with Debbie in Colborne. I will miss her 💗 May you all find comfort in the love of friends and family and never forget the cherished memories. Sandra Chapman
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Our condolences go out to the family of Debbie Rutherford. R.I.P.
Aileen and Family, my deepest sympathy.
To The Rutherford Family Please except my sincere condolences of Debbie’s passing I remember the happy times we had at our family cottages jumping on the big tractor tire and catching fire flies as well as our school days. REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND
Sorry for your loss
Aileen and family So very sorry to hear about Debbie She was always so bright and cheerful when ever we meant. Know she will be missed by many! My condolences to each of you.
Aileen and entire Rutherford family, so sorry to hear of the loss of Debbie, thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deepest condolences to the entire Rutherford family. It is such sad news that Debbie has passed at such a young age. I had the pleasure of working with Debbie at Lamwood Products in Rexdale. She was a joy to be around and will be sadly missed by all that knew her. Sharing your pain and remembering the happy and positive person Debbie was. RIP my friend.
I am so sad to read this News. My deepest sympathy to all of you. I worked with Debbie at Lamwood Products and she roomed with me in Toronto. I was so sorry to have lost contact with her.
I am so sorry to hear of Debbie passing, she had such a zest for life! Love to all of the Rutherford Family, R.I.P. Debbie!
To all the Rutherford family, sincere condolences with the passing of Debbie We will miss her work of art in her gardens Her friendly wave as she walked by Her big smile and her humour Hugs to all
To all the Rutherford family Debbie will be missed, l remember her growing up, she will be with her father Josh and Jordan now❤️
To the Rutherford family, we are so sorry to hear of a sweet Colborne girls passing. In our younger days we where all family growing up in town. God has her now in his arms but she will be forever in our hearts. RIP Debbie
Aileen, Wayne, Linda & Greg: On behalf of our entire family, we would like to send our condolences to your family on the loss of Debbie. Since we moved closer three years ago, we have had the opportunity to get to know Debbie so much better. Our trips to visit Don & Helen, our dinners out on our way home and especially the fun card games - gave us a chance to enjoy, laugh and maybe even realize, that although life is short, it is an experience that we all must take full advantage of. Rest in Peace, Deb - we truly will miss you Love, Peter, Diana & Family
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Aileen, Wayne and Nancy, Linda and Mark, Greg and Sue..sincerest condolences to you and your families. Debbie was such a strong willed and determined woman. Always willing to help out and assist in any way she could. She was so full of energy and always had a project on the go. She will be missed by many. Cherish your memories forever. Don and Rose Clark
Aileen: My thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss of Debbie. I will always remember the friendship of our wonderful Rutherford neighbours, so special and kind , Love all of you, Marg Godawa( McGuire).
Aileen sending my condolences to you and your family, Debbie always had a wave or a kind word every time I walked or drove by... always doing something she will be missed by many .
Rutherford Family, our hearts ache for your loss. We are honoured to have known Debbie as be admired her passion, dedication to those she loved, and her unwavering work ethic. An extraordinary woman, we will truly miss her.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Aileen, our deepest sympathy to you and your family with passing of your beloved daughter, Debra. Greg & Bonnie Bilcox
Aileen , Wayne and Nancy, Linda and Mark, Greg and Sue , sincere condolences on your loss of a daughter and sister. RIP Debbie, Doug and Ursula Clark
Sorry for you loss. Everyone that grew up in Colborne knew the family well. Another sad day
Aileen, our deepest sympathy to you and the Rutherford family. Our thoughts are with you. Ford and Sandra
On behalf of all the staff at Colborne Library we would like to extend our deepest condolences to all Debbie's family - Debbie always had a bright smile and kind words for us, no matter what, and we always enjoyed her visits to the library. If Aileen ever wants deliveries from the library we will be more than happy to do so.
I am so saddened to learn about Debbie's passing. Very fond memories of growing up in Colborne, and the Rutherfords were a big part of my family's life there. I know when Debbie greets her Dad in the next life, it will be a joyous reunion. My heart goes out to the family today.
Aileen and family....I'm so very sorry about the passing of Debbie ....hold your memories close to your heart My heartfelt condolences to all of the family
Aileen, Wayne, Linda, Greg, and families We were so saddened to learn of Debbies passing. I first met Debbie 1968 when Aileen had me do Debbies hair for the skating carnival, she later became our babysitter, and shampooed hair during her school days. From the first time I met her I thought "what a sweetheart" she was and still is to our family. You will have so many memories of her , cry and laugh at the same time, because at times like this, we appreciate the past. Love you all.Barry and Carolynn
My sincerest condolences Aileen, Greg, Linda, Wayne and all of Debbie's extended family. I remember her well from from my younger days in Colborne, such a vibrant individual. Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Aileen, I am so very sorry to hear of Debbie`s passing. She will be missed on her daily strolls with you around town. Always so good to stop and chat with those she met along the way. She was a fighter to the end and now she can rest in peace. Keep your memories close and she will always be in your heart.
Our sympathy to Aileen and family. It was great to see and talk with Debbie……always a memorable moment. Lenna &Allan
We will surely miss seeing Debbie walking by and stopping for a chat she was a wonderful person who would help anyone. She put up a good fight. we send our condolences to the Rutherford family..
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Rutherford family. She will be dearly missed.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Dear Linda & Mark and family: So very saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved sister Debbie. We understand the loss of one of our siblings, as if a part of us has passed with them. May all your fond memories bring you all some peace at this sad time. With sincere condolences, Sylvia & George
Dear…Aileen, Wayne, Linda, Greg and families. We have lots of memories from years gone by that we will cherish. Her strength of character has been consistent throughout her life . Our thoughts are with all of you at this sad time . RIP Deb ❤️
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
My condolence to Wayne, Linda & Family I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
So sorry to hear of Debbie’s passing. May you hold your memories close to your ❤️ hearts. Paul and Cheryl Bird.
Aileen and Family - I'm so sorry for you loss, please know I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
Aileen, and family my sincere condolences. Debbie was a ray of sunshine, always a smile, and never complaining. I will truely miss her. Hugs!
Dear Rutherford family: It is with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Debbie! She will be missed by her family and friends! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time! May she be at peace! Charles and Elaine
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with all of you at this time.
My Sincerest Condolences to Aileen & Family ❤️ I have so many fond memories of our earlier years together and I will truly treasure every one of them! Rest In Peace my friend 🦋
I am so sorry for your loss.
Our deepest sympathies to the families
Aileen and family I am so very sorry to hear about Debbie‘s passing. I have Lots of great memories from telephone Road and when she moved back from Toronto. It was always great to see Debbie. Hugs to you all. Jeanie H
We are so sorry to hear of Debbie‘s passing. Thinking of all the family at this most difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely. Gail and Ryan Chisholm
I want to send my deepest sympathy to you, Aileen, and your family. My thoughts are with you all.
To Aileen, Wayne & Nancy, Linda, Greg and Families, my sincere and heartfelt condolences. So very sorry to hear this news. No one need tell you Deb was special as you already knew. A spark has gone out in our village and my thoughts are with all of you.
So sad to lose my little hero friend and neighbour. She had the determination and desire to live life and help whenever and wherever she was needed. She will be dearly missed. —-BLESS YOU DEBBIE
My deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family on the passing of Debbie. May your memories be always near your hearts
To Aileen and the entire Rutherford family .There are no Words to express the sadness Felt with Debbies passing. With 40 plus Years of being the very best of neighbours I spoke with Debbie on an almost daily basis, on everything from the good , to the bad and the out right comical . I will miss Her spirit , her intestinal fortitude and "our very unique way of chatting". Our small Village wont be quite the same without her. Rest in peace Debbie.
Aileen & families My deepest condolences on your loss of Deb. May your many years of memories give you comfort in the days ahead. Deb, was my 1st friend in life.. we shared many experiences together, Deb always the leading.. she is forever in my heart. Peace, be with you dear friend.
So sorry to hear that Debbie has passed away . Condolences to all of her family. Rest peacefully Debbie
Aileen, Groovy, Linda and families please accept my condolences on your loss of Debbie. My thoughts are with you all. I will always have fond memories of "Stray Dog".