Deborah Jean Side

Deborah Jean Side (Debbie) passed away peacefully at home in Vancouver on May 16, 2026 at the age of 69. Her battle with cancer, and the complications that ultimately took her from us, had begun almost seven years before. She was slight but mighty and fought valiantly until the very end.

She was born into a large and boisterous family in Ponoka, Alberta to the late Herbert and Joyce Wilson and lived there and in Grande Prairie, Richmond and Edmonton, before settling permanently in Vancouver.

Debbie was a banker for almost all her working life and many of her workmates and clients became close personal friends. She was a warm and gracious woman, a loving wife and mother, and devoted friend. Debbie enjoyed a lifelong commitment to physical fitness, good food and shopping (the latter being a self-confessed guilty pleasure – “Doug, it’s like a disease”) and travelled extensively. When her nest cleared, she served on the board of several local charities.

Debbie is survived by her husband Doug, and sons David (Jessica), Alex (Vicky) and Michael (Kelleigh), by grandchildren Kayden, Vesa and Willow and by stepmother Gladys Wilson. The large family that survives her also includes siblings Linda Wilson, Joanne St. Amant (Joe), Martin Wilson Debbie), Brenda Draganiuk (Len), Martha Ghostkeeper, Jamie Foley (Neil), and John Wilson (Joanne), grandma Barb Side, brother-in-law Richard Side (Martina), sisters-in-law Linda Side (Jim Munro) and Rhonda Side (Jeremy Walker), and their numerous progeny.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on July 18, 2026, at Point Grey Golf & Country Club, 3350 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver. Please RSVP to deborahsidememorial@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society.