Deborah Jean O'Connor

My special condolences go out to the family of Deborah Jean O'Connor she was a very helpful person to deal with I will miss her. R.I.P. The Cimetta Family.

So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty

Jeff, very sorry to learn of your Mother’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.

I've known Deb since public school days. She was a very passionate and dedicated advocate for social justice. My condolences to her family .

My best memory of Deb was on my birthday she took me to the Chateau Hotel to see kd.Lang. The hotel was on the decline but Lang lifted it up that night. So it was sad to hear of her passing but she brought a smile to many people. Bethany, Jeff and of course Stephen, my condolences. Wendy Southward Kelowna, B.C.

It is heartbreaking that this amazing woman has passed. Debbie was a true crusader for social justice and did so much to help those living in poverty. I will miss her smile, her sense of humour and her take no crap attitude. Rest peaceful my friend. My thoughts, prayers and sincerest condolences go out the her family.

Jeff, sorry to hear about your mom's passing. Our deepest sympathy for you and your family. You are in our thoughts.

My sadness this last week, knowing Deb had passed away, is softened by decades of memories. Deb, a friend of my kid sister, during their school years - bright, inquisitive, energetic and fun. Debby, who turned up at my home in Toronto, shortly after she and her two young kids arrived from BC, and jumped at the interview I arranged for her - All Saint's Church Drop-in, one of the first, and a low-barrier haven. Deb, jumping at my introduction to Havi, then ED of NAPO, and agreeing to join the national board, after she had moved home to Cobourg. Deb, introducing me to The Help and Legal Centre when I returned to Cobourg in the early 2000's and encouraging me to join the board of this great agency, then pushing me to join demonstrations in our home town. It is my hope that the strong memories that the O'Connor and Haynes family have of their mother, grandmother and sister, help lift the sorrow.

It was very saddened to hear the news of Deb’s passing last week. She was a mentor to me and I really cherish the relationship I had with her. A pillar in the community and also a great loss to our community. May she rest in paradise.

My condolence to to the family.

On behalf of The Help Centre's team we want to offer our sincere condolences to Deb's family. She was certainly one of a kind!

Deb was one of those people who make a profound difference in the lives of others. Her anti-poverty work locally, provincially and nationally was tireless in pursuit of better lives for low-income Canadians.

So sorry to hear of Deb's passing. She certainly was a strong, dedicated and passionate person. Condolences to Deb's family.

Wishing you peace at this difficult time. We are here for you, for anything you need.

Debbie and I would often meet in different community groups a long time ago and I will always remember her understanding of the issues, her dedication to helping others, as well as her true kindness. My sincere condolences to her loved ones.

Jeff and family, my sincere condolences on your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. From reading all of the condolences, it is obvious your mom was a very special lady who did much for her community. Cherish all your memories.

Sorry for you loss . Thinking of you and your family . Rhonda & Rodger

I was sorry to read this news. Debbie and I were in High school together at the East. She was very bright, lots of fun, had very good house parties and was on the cheerleading squad with me. I dislocated my knee at practice doing the splits. Debbie just walked over and whacked my knee back into place. She took charge of the situation and fixed it. When I returned from living in Thunder Bay I read about all her good work. She was a very special person and will be missed. My sincere condolences. Shirley(Lemmon) Mitchell

Deb not only tackled every problem in sight locally, but was a Board member of the National Anti-Poverty Organization (NAPO), founded in 1971, which became "Canada Without Poverty" in 2009. Locally, her leadership resulted in Northumberland getting its Community Legal Centre, as a joint agency with the Help Centre she ran. She never failed to step up.

To Debbie’s Family, I met Debbie when I was working for The United Way an knew her advocacy work on behalf of many others. She burned with determination to bring social justice issues to the front and when we had a newspaper, there was often an article about her work with her picture. She had the heart and mind and energy to keep up the work and if she left that legacy in your hearts and minds society will be better off with the next generations taking up her cause. ?

There are some people who when they leave us leave a bigger sense of loss than others. Deb is one of those people. She loved fiercely and that love fuelled her advocacy. My deepest condolences to her family who she loved with all her heart.

Deb was a tremendous advocate and a great friend. She will be missed. My condolences to the family.

Deb fought the good fight and never lost her sense of social justice - we should all leave such a legacy

Thank you for all the wonderful things you accomplished, Deb. You are sorely missed.

Deb will be missed by many, condolences to Jeff and Tammy and the family. As one of the people awarded the "Caring Canadians" award by the Governor General she was recognised for her good works in many fields. As a pioneer in the "Help Centre" and later in the "Legal Centre" she changed lives. She will not be forgotten!

I'm so sorry to hear about Deb. She seemed like a remarkable lady. My thoughts are with you Jeff, Tami, Bailey, Byron and Eleanor. May she rest in peace. ♥️

Our deepest condolences to you and the family

Deb will always be remembered for her tireless advocacy on behalf of those in our community existing in poverty & otherwise marginalized. Families in crisis, women escaping abuse & people suffering all could count on Deb. Her knowledge of how the system works for & against people on the margins will be missed. Personally, I will always cherish our conversations. To her family, please accept my condolances and heartfelt apprection for sharing this incredible woman with our Community.

Stephen: I had the pleasure of meeting Debra a few years ago at a meeting of the minds for poverty. Lovely woman, easy to converse with and an advocate for many. She will be missed by all that knew her.

Our heartfelt condolences to Jeff and O’Connor family, Debbie has been a long time friend and will be deeply missed. She loved her family and spoke proudly of her grandchildren. Rest peacefully dear friend.

I worked with Deb on various issues over the years. I don't believe there has ever been a person locally who was more dedicated to standing up for those who found themselves living in poverty. She made a difference and her voice will be missed. I will remember her always. Thinking of her family during this time.

I ran the office for Hon. Christine Stewart MP at the Fleming Building. We often referred people to Deb and she was wonderful at her job and so compassionate. May she rest in peace.

Sorry to hear of Ms O’Connors’ passing. Thoughts with Jeff and family!

Deb was a major contributor to this community. She will not be forgotten Deepest sympathy to her family Carol Farren

DEB has left us all broken hearted the work she has done for our community will never be gone RIP you deserve it well earned.

Her legacy will live on with the good work she did in the community ❤️