Debbie's family would like donations in memory of her to be made to the Marie Curie Centre in Woolton, Liverpool. The Centre gave much needed help to Debbie, Jeremy, Amy and Edward over the last year of Debbie's life. They provided not only medical care, but also emotional support for the whole family. Debbie attended the day centre and had a number of stays at the Woolton Centre. The staff were very sensitive to her end of life wishes and enabled her to have the facilities needed for her to be at home when she died.

You are invited to add your own message to this page should you wish.

This page was set up by Debra Westlake on behalf of Debbie's family. I worked with Debbie at the University of Liverpool (HaCCRU) over twenty years ago and we became firm friends. I am sure I speak for all of Debbie's many friends when I say that she was a very unique, wise and giving person whose physical presence in our lives will be dearly missed, although so much that she shared with us will live on.  If you have a favourite photo of Debbie then please email it to me to upload : debwestlake@gmail.com 

On behalf of all the family, thank you for visiting this page and for remembering Debbie.

 FOR DEBBIE

Mid-September air sucks the last of summer from its berry stained fingers,

Drips with the sweetness of ochre and blush pink plums.

Quietly, a greyness drops in for tea

And stays

Too long.

A robin calls his last song of the day:

I have heard your voice,

Struggling to hold the strand

That binds you to the web.

You are spinning other threads now.

Small puffs you make,

Like the wind teasing the horse chestnut,

Heavy with conkers.

You will not play that game this year.

Yet in my mind I still see you:

You are standing in front of a terraced house,

A chestnut curl breaks free

From the tumbling mess of hair

And flirts with the July breeze.

You are licking chocolate

From your fingertips

And a light in your clear blue eyes

Dances

And notices

Us all.

I can still feel your warm hand on my back

As my son is born.

 

I still know your presence:

When all the world is busy,

 

You are rooted with the chestnut tree,

You are a still pool of the moon,

You are a rose on the last stem of the year.