Deborah Cheryl Paulette Thom

The day before, everything was normal. Nothing out of the ordinary. We went shopping and bought flowers at the nursery and she planted them all in the garden that same day. She was so proud that she got it all done at once and I am sorry she never got the chance to enjoy it, and so much more. I’m grateful that every night we hugged and said “good night” and “I love you” to each other, because those were my last words to her.

Mom was so sweet and kind to everyone she met. She was truly the “hostess with the mostess” and helped make every event successful. She never forgot a birthday, or special occasion, and would make sure it’s acknowledged with a gift or card. She was always generous and thoughtful, and would never come over empty-handed. She enjoyed having company over and would do everything she could to make you feel at home. She always had the coffee pot or tea kettle on, and usually a pie to go with it.

Mom was full of youth and was a lot of fun to spend time with. She loved hanging out with my friends, and was always that “cool mom” who was genuinely accepted by all. She was a hip lady with hilarious comedic timing who got along with everyone she met, young or old. She was a second mom to many of my friends, for many years, and she loved them all.

Mom was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and grew up in Regina with her family. She blazed a trail in high school, by challenging the dress code and was the first woman at her school to wear pants. As a prairie kid in the 60’s, pants in the winter just made more sense to her than wearing skirts.

In 1975, she married Gerald Thom and in 1978, gave birth to me, Leah Elizabeth Virginia Thom. At that time, we lived in Winnipeg, because my dad was working as a radio DJ there, and then they moved back to BC when I was a year old, living in Richmond. Her and my dad divorced in 1991, but were on good terms in the later years. She always stayed in Richmond, until we moved to Abbotsford in 2020.

Her first job was at Sears in Regina, then Sask Tel as a phone operator, and when she moved to British Columbia, she worked at BC Tel, also as an operator. In the 80’s, she formed a cleaning business and did that for almost 35 years until she retired in 2018. She had formed many special friendships with her clients, and co-workers, like Dawn Laidman, who worked with her the longest for many years until retirement.

She worked hard all her life, but spent the last five years retired. I’m so grateful she got a chance to relax and spend more quality time with us. We bought our forever home together and I loved having her close by, in the suite downstairs.

Mom mostly loved to garden and always created a beautiful floral space. Tulips were her favourite. No matter where she lived, she had a beautiful display of flowers and plants. But she was most proud of her current garden at home, which I will do my best to keep it beautiful.

Through the years she showcased her many other talents and interests, and tried many different things, such as oil painting, tai chi, singing, comedy/acting, bowling (which she was quite good at - just like her father who bowled), skiing, and even got her motorcycle license. She also loved a good round at the pitch and putt (mostly at West Richmond) or playing mini-golf at Castle Fun Park. Mom also like to play crib, Yahtzee, 10,000 (a.k.a. “the dice game”), and was always hard to beat at Scrabble.

She had amazing style and looked great in any colour. Especially the bright ones. She always had cute shoes, with a handbag to match. Little known fact: She was known to mow the lawn in heels because she looked stylish and also, it would aerate the lawn at the same time. She was also efficient like that.

Mom was my best friend, my rock, and someone I strive to be like every day. I’m going to miss her so very much, and this will be incredibly hard, but I know I’m a little piece of her and she will always be with me.

“I love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my mommy you’ll be.” - Robert Munsch

We will plan to do a celebration of life for her on August 27th. Most likely it will be at our home, because I know she’d wanted to show off her garden. And she would want something fun. We were thinking of a high tea, since she loved hosting those. But if you would like to attend, please contact by email [email protected]

You can also send photos, stories, or memories you have of her. They are always wanted and appreciated.

💜💜💜

Deborah Cheryl Paulette Thom

September 5, 1954 - May 10, 2023

Survived by her loving daughter, Leah Thom.

Deborah has joined her beloved mother and father, Helene and Alvin Weisbrodt, and her brothers, Bruce Hubbard, Barry Hubbard, and Perry Weisbrodt, as well as her dear Aunt Ruby Weisbrodt, along with many other loved ones who are with her in the afterlife.

“I saw it all.”