Deborah “Kim” Demberline (Minnie)
Passed away peacefully at RVH with her family by her side on January 1st. 2016 in Barrie, ON at the age of 58, after an unexpected month long battle of pancreatic & liver cancer.
Kim is survived by her father Red Demberline, sister Sue (Fred) Fennell, as well as her niece and nephew Jarrett & Jasmin Fennell of Barrie.
Kim was born on July 19th. 1957. Kim was paralyzed from the waist down in 1996 which led her to her beloved job at Spinal Cord Injury of Ontario, which she contributed for 15 years, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee of Barrie, as well as many other jobs and volunteering.
A drop in celebration of life will be held on January 10th. 2016 from 2pm - 5pm, with a speaker at 3pm at the South Shore Centre (205 Lakeshore Drive, Barrie)
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spinal Cord Injury of Ontario - EIP Barrie, which buys equipment for spinal cord injured in the Barrie area www.sciontario.org/inmemory
A special heartfelt thank you to Kathy Shannon as well as RVH Palliative Cancer Care Floor nurses Jenna & Odessa for your sincere kindness, compassion & love.
Laura Little
Posted on: Wednesday, January 6, 2016Hello Red, Sue, Fred, Jarrett & Jazymne
I was so sorry to learn of Kim’s passing. I so enjoyed our talks when we passed in the neighbourhood, walking our dogs, or when I saw her out and about. I know your family was very supportive of her situation over the years and I admire how you all have coped so graciously with life’s challenges.
I will be out of the country on Jan 10, 2016 but my thoughts will be with you and your family.
Hugs to you all,
Laura
Sheila Casemore
Posted on: Wednesday, January 6, 2016Kim worked with us at Spinal Cord Injury Ontario and was a ray of sunshine in the Barrie office. We’re all going to miss her. Please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Tammie Maynard
Posted on: Friday, January 8, 2016I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Kim and I wanted to pass along my condolences to the Demberline family. I had the great pleasure of getting to know Kim through the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Kim was such a lovely lady and she is going to be sorely missed.
Anna Mudde
Posted on: Saturday, January 9, 2016I’m so sad to hear of your loss. I worked with Kim and Heather at the CPA office in the summers of the early 2000s, and I remember her wonderful warmth, humour, commitment, and good sense. When I went away to graduate school, Kim gave me one of her painted stones — a little mouse — which I have moved with me over the years, and still keeps watch over my books.
I am thinking of her, and of you. May each day get easier.
Anna
Teresa
Posted on: Sunday, January 10, 2016Many neighbours were blessed to know Kim and her Beloved Buddy.
Meeting in the nice weather it was always a pleasure to
have a chat. Kim with her great common sense and ready
smile will be missed and thought of very often. Our thoughts are with
her family who have such a loss to bear.
Brian and Laura MacIntosh
Posted on: Monday, January 11, 2016Dear Red, Sue, Fred and family,
Brian and I were saddened to learn, just today, of Kim’s passing. It was many years ago that we first met Kim and all of you during a trying time for both our families at Sunnybrook and Lyndhurst. We would often see Kim at Zehrs, the CPA office, or while we were walking along the Lakeshore. Kim was a very positive person who always had a smile on her face and loved to chat. May your many memories, and the love and support of your family and friends bring you comfort. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rick Fraser
Posted on: Monday, February 8, 2016Mr. & Mrs Demberline,
I did not hear of Kim’s passing until I seen it in the Barrie Advance. Upon reading this I was deeply saddened when recalling the time we spent as kids at your house. It was always the meeting place where friends spent hours just talking and listening to records. I am so sorry to that I did not attend Kim’s memorial as I would have like to expressed my condolences personally.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lisa Kallioniemi
Posted on: Monday, July 11, 2016I am Ella Demberline’s granddaughter. Although I never got to meet Kim I followed her tireless career and advocacy for the disabled through newspaper articles. Through a fluke search it is only now I have learned of her passing. I send my condolence and I know that although words seem hollow. Know her life touched countless people and this will live on and on. On behalf of my family, again condolences.