Obituary

On April 12th of 2023 Deborah Akhurst of Penticton departed this life after a short and intense illness just a few weeks’ journey into her 60th year of life.

She was a beloved daughter of Margery Akhurst and Ronald Akhurst (deceased), the devoted and forever loving mother to Isabella (Bella) Doblanko and big sister to Beverly and Susan Akhurst.

Deborah was a dream catcher, snagging her dreams as they drifted into her awareness. She would reel them in, bit by bit until she was able to hold them close and nourish her life from their abundance. She arrived into this life in Montreal, Quebec, and in her early years, while being a big sister, was gifted a first seed for the love of travel when her family moved to Greece for 2 years. Later childhood and teenage years in the townships of Quebec shaped her as she built deep and lasting friendships. She was a quiet lover of art and words and thrived amongst gatherings of friends.

There was always a piece of her that was alive when writing, whether as a pen pal to new and exciting friends around the globe or writing poetry and creating stories for children from the magic she saw beyond the day to day. In the past few years she had taken to FB with a series she called To the Boys and To the Girls.

Her love of Spanish eventually took her to Spain and adventure. A joy that stayed with her always, her passion for travel was created and she planted this passion with love in her daughter so that one day they might share this experience together, and they will, even if it is in Bella’s heart.

Deborah may have seen life much of the time as a struggle, but it was her willingness to be with the uncomfortable and the scary that moved her from Quebec at 19 to Edmonton, then to Vancouver where her family lived later, back to Edmonton then eventually to her home in Penticton. She chose her paths. Whether taking sommelier courses to enhance her love of wine, or writing of the things in her heart and sharing them with all who would read. She started a cleaning business Akme Cleaning, in order to be the leader of her life, but it was simply the thing that allowed her to follow her true passion, the one that deepened with each year; reflexology, reiki, and all things healing and connected to what she saw as real and inspiring in life. She opened a small studio in downtown Penticton called Flow Reflexology, which became a sanctuary to anyone who entered as she guided them towards a place of peace.

Whether paddle boarding or kayaking on the lake, going for long walks in nature or incredibly slow ones with Gypsy the dog, sitting with friends on a patio, or creating joyful moments and dreams with her daughter Isabella, Deborah lived a life that always had a door open to the possibilities that knocked.

Her own mother was always so joyful for the times Deborah was able to drive down to Vancouver to spend time and remembers her first born for all the beauty and lessons she brought to her life.

To Deborah, the writer, poet, beauty, warrior, and liver of life, we say a loving farewell and celebrate her chance to dance among the stars and be the eagle that soars and the painter of rainbows. Show the universe what you know. We were lucky to have you in our lives. We love you.

From your mother, daughter, sisters, aunt and uncle, cousins, nephew, nieces, companion and friends old and new, near and far, you will be missed.

Deborah’s ashes will be scattered on the 5th of May at Lakeview Cemetery in the Columbarium Gardens. Anyone is welcomed to sit in its beauty and let the nature that surrounds you evoke her memory.

A gathering in celebration will be organized for the 13th of May, 11:00 am outdoors. Details of which can be found here shortly. Everyone is welcome to come in their brightest colours with your stories to share.

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations to support a marker that her daughter wishes to create and maintain can be made to Deborah’s sister Beverly.