Obituary of Debra (Debbie) Gilbert

Debra (Debbie) Gilbert, 67 Glace Bay, N.S. Debra (Debbie) Gilbert, 67, of Glace Bay, passed away at Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, she was the daughter of the late Donald (Scotty) & Doris (Dodie) (nee Ullock) MacDonald. When Debbie was six, her family moved to Cape Breton. She attended school in Reserve Mines and later enrolled in the School of Nursing at New Waterford Consolidated Hospital. In 1981, she began working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Sydney City Hospital and later Cape Breton Regional Hospital. She also worked at Waterford Heights before finishing her career at Taigh Na Mara. Debbie was quiet and reserved. She had a beautiful smile and a dry wit. At 17, Debbie met the love of her life, Derrick Gilbert, and they spent the next 50 years together. They married in 1981 and were inseparable. They loved spending time together, whether they were going for a drive or a walk, taking dance lessons or watching a movie. Everyday moments were made special because they were together. Family was everything to Debbie. She was a beloved and devoted wife, mother, Nee (grandmother), sister, sister-in-law and friend. She loved events that brought her family and friends together. Debbie loved spending time with her grandchildren and made memories with them that she cherished. She was the glue that held everyone and everything together. When she wasn’t spending time with family, Debbie enjoyed gardening and painting. Her garden was filled with a variety of brightly coloured flowers. Her home was decorated with some of her paintings. Debbie was a helper. She always took care of people and helped them any way she could. Debbie was an expert at doing the little things that make a difference. She touched so many lives in her own quiet, special way. Her kindness and thoughtfulness knew no bounds. Debbie will be sadly missed by her devoted husband Derrick; sons Kyle and Kurt (Kyla); grandchildren Skye, Avarie and Grayson; brothers Donald (Isabell), Halifax, N.S.; Allan (Chris), Ontario, and Scott (Margo) MacDonald, Halifax, N.S.; sister Donna MacDonald, Ontario; brothers-in-law Darrell, and Wade (Joanne) Gilbert, Glace Bay; sister-in-law Lynn (Mike), Glace Bay; her nieces and nephews; many cousins, and close friends Lorelei Dillon and Tiffany Caines. Besides her parents, Debbie was predeceased by her parents-in-law Gerald & Francie Gilbert, her maternal and paternal grandparents, and many aunts and uncles. Special thanks to the staff & physicians at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital emergency department and the staff, physicians, and specialists in the ICU at the QE II Health Sciences Centre for the care they gave to Debbie. We are devastated and heartbroken by Debbie’s passing, but we take solace in knowing that through organ donation, she has helped other families. In Debbie’s memory, we encourage people to help someone or show kindness to someone. That is what Debbie would do and we should all try to be a little more like Debbie. As per Debbie’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. Cremation arrangements are under the care and compassion of T.J. Tracey Cremation & Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting tjtracey.com.