Obituary of Debbie Rutherford

Debora Lynn Rutherford passed away at St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, November 18, 2021 at the age of 61 years.

Debbie was born to Bill and Olive Rutherford, the fifth child, an adorable sister for 4 older brothers.  She grew up on a family farm in the Neilburg/Marsden area.  Debbie was spoiled by her maternal grandfather, Oliver Reid, and toughened up by her older brothers.  Debbie insisted that her older brothers tormented her while they insisted that they spoiled her.  Probably some truth from both perspectives.  

After graduating from Marsden High School, Debbie attended Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Moose Jaw, taking a business course.  She worked for eight years with SaskTel followed by 16 years with Vecima Networks in Saskatoon.  During her early years she was also very active politically, working as a political organizer and fundraiser.  At one point she worked in Roy Romanow’s office in Regina.
 
Debbie moved back to Neilburg after her father died in 2016, to be closer to her mother.  She was a crafty person, knitting and crocheting continually.  Many family members have very specially designed afghans lovingly made by Debbie.  She was a fanatic Blue Jays fan and rarely missed a game and she could recall Blue Jays stats as well as anyone.  Debbie was also very interested in family history and accumulated a great number of photos and stories over the years.
 
Debbie had a great sense of humour.  One example is when she made a medal for everyone married to a Rutherford, possibly not recognizing that she had all those Rutherford characteristics herself.  All joking aside, Debbie also had the Rutherford characteristics of generosity, caring, and helping others who needed her special kind of help.
 
Debbie is predeceased by: her father, Bill, in 2016.
 
Debbie is survived by: her mother, Olive; her brothers, and their families:  Neil (Gayle): Jennifer Gies (David), Julia & Logan; Erin Rutherford (Victor), Eric, Dana,  James, & Alex; Donald (Darlene): Tammy Ryan (Dwayne), Chantal, Loralee, & Jarrod; Sheldon Rutherford (Janelle), Lauren & Kendall; Melinda Rutherford; Paul (Lynn); Kevin (Tara), Jax; Kelly Rutherford,  Dwayne (Sharon Fehr): Sebastian Lane, Aaron, Cheyenne and children, Karma & Navarro; Selina Dicaire (Gerard), True & Sullivan; Joanne Weiting (Justin), Koren & Serena.  Every family member was special to her. 

No services will be held at this time.  A private family memorial will take place at some time in the future. 

If you would like to make a donation in Debbie’s memory, please consider donating to STARS Air Ambulance, Manitou Pioneer Museum, or a charity of your choice.  

The family would like to sincerely thank the health care professionals who cared for Debbie in Lloydminster Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.  The care they provided to Debbie over the past month was exceptional.