Debbie (Brown) Blinkhorn

Deborah Elizabeth (Brown) Blinkhorn

Dec. 20, 1963 to April 9 2022. Age 58

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts we, the family, announce the passing of Debbie (Brown) Blinkhorn, of Sydney Mines on Saturday, April, 9, 2022. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, Nana, niece, aunt, cousin and friend. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family and friends after an illness that took her too soon from her loved ones.

She leaves behind her loving husband Robbie Blinkhorn of 36 years. Her boys Trevor (Soleil) and Travis (Megan) and grandchildren Liliana, Priya, Miles and Adeline.

She held a special place in her heart for her two sisters Nona Forrest (Blaire) and Julie Brown Walker (Chris). And nieces and nephews, Dovi, Betty Rae, Jorja, Kimberly, Brycen, and Jaylee. She was known to all as “Aunt Debbie”.  She played a special role to the Blinkhorn Family, Mother-in-law Marie, Kevin David (Elizabeth), AnnMarie (Kate), Wendy (Brian). Nieces Jillian and Courtney, Nephews Tyler, Kyle, Jason, and Cody. She loved all of her aunts and uncles.

Debbie was born in Toronto, Ontario on December 20th, 1963 and lived in Thorold Ontario, until the age of 12 when she moved to Cape Breton.

Debbie and Robbie started dating September 7th 1981. They shared a special love. Debbie had Robbie’s back and Robbie had hers. They looked at each other with so much love and had the biggest respect for one another. Together they built a beautiful family. They spent summers at the campground and winters at the hockey rink. Together they gave their children the world. Debbie was so very proud of her boys. She was the proudest, most active hockey mom anyone could ever meet. There is nothing she wouldn’t do for her sons. All her time and energy were focused on them. Debbie was a caring and loving mother who gave her very BEST to everyone. She proudly displayed her sons’ collection of trophies and cherished and celebrated everyone of their achievements.

When her first grandchild was born she experienced that same love all over again. Debbie worked hard to ensure Liliana’s first word was “Nana” and she was quick to fully equip her house with a crib and all the toys. She loved babysitting her grandchildren. She was overjoyed to take her girls on her shopping trips. She never wanted to miss a single moment and made sure she was there for every Halloween, Easter, Christmas, & every special moment before her illness took over. She held a special twinkle in her eye, and space in her heart for her grandchildren until the very end. We are saddened that each grandchild is going to miss out on all those special moments she cared so deeply about.

As a mother-in-law, Debbie welcomed Soleil and Megan in with open arms and treated them with the same love as if they were her own daughters. She was an excellent role model for them so they could learn to be the perfect mother to her grandchildren.

As described by her cousins, Debz was the glue that held the family together. Her favourite day of the year was the annual Brown’s Family Games Day, where she was the self-appointed President of the committee consisting of  Sonya, Rachelle, Jo-Anne, & Suzanne.  Debbie was the hostess with the mostess. A big part of Brown/Blinkhorn memories can be remembered from 57 Rateau Street. Her winning (cheating) nature for water volleyball at her pool is what her family will remember. Debbie brought the magic to Brown’s Family Christmas, Annual Steak & PJ Day, & Christmas Baking. She was a proud Brown.

It was nothing for Debbie to jump in the car to drive to Ontario to visit friends and family and watch her son’s hockey games. She spent lots of time at her sister-in-law, Wendy’s house while visiting her son attending school for hockey. She loved driving and spent lots of time on the road for Trevor and Travis’ hockey trips, and visiting Liliana and Priya in New Brunswick. She enjoyed her many trips taken with her Uncle Paul and Christine.

Debbie had many lifelong close friends including Glenda, Brenda, Elaine, Joanne & neighbour Gussy who were with her to the end. She cherished every friendship she had over the years. They helped transform her into the amazing women she was.

Debbie loved tending to her beautiful yard and her Lily garden was her favourite. Zombie Debz will always be known for her love of the Walking Dead. Sunday was family night with popcorn, walking dead, and playing xbox with her sons. She was an avid movie go’er.

Although Debbie lived a wonderful life, she was taken from us way to soon after her diagnosis with Frontotemporal Dementia in late 2018. The neighbours on Rateau St. are going to miss watching Robbie take Debbie on her daily walks from their home where she lived until the end of her illness.

She was predeceased by her parents Georgie Brown and Elizabeth (Munro) Ratchford, father-in-law Kevin Blinkhorn, and brother-in-law Bernard Blinkhorn. We know she is now reunited with her mother and father who she missed so dearly.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Peter Poulos, Palliative Care, Northside Homemakers, VON, & the staff of 4-West. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Debbie has left us all with fond memories of kindness and stories we will always treasure and share. We will miss that big smile. Fly high beautiful angel.