Obituary of Deborah Louise Menz

It is with sadness that the family of Deborah “Debbie” Louise Menz announce her passing on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at the age of 65 years after a short battle with cancer. Debbie is survived by her cousins Pat (Hope) McAdoo and family of Calgary, AB and Judy (Ken) Schmidt and family of Calgary, AB; lifelong friend Linda (Frank) Chacun and family of Saskatoon, SK; dear friend Wanda (Bill) MacDonald and family of Regina, SK; as well as numerous Menz and Hamilton relatives. She was predeceased by her father Elmer in 1983; mother May (nee Hamilton) in 2001; and sister Susan in 1979.

Debbie was born and lived her life in Regina, SK.  She attended Peart and Athabasca Elementary Schools and graduated from Sheldon Williams High School in 1975.  After two years working at the Sears Catalogue Centre, she was accepted into the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina in the fall of 1977 and graduated with her Bachelor of Education degree in the fall of 1981.

Hired as an elementary substitute teacher with the Regina Board of Education in 1981, she worked in the classroom until the spring of 2020 and decided to effectively retire during the Covid Pandemic.  While she often wanted to have her own classroom, she was able to have a positive impact on far more lives as a substitute teacher, working in countless schools and classrooms in the city over those 39 years.  She would always beam with pride when one of her students would see her in public and run over to say “Hello Miss Menz!”

She loved her family – whether by blood or “adopted” by close friends.  Family gatherings at Christmas, New Years, and birthdays were always an “event” if Debbie was involved.  But, if she couldn’t be with you, you knew there would be a card in the mail to share her love and let you know she was thinking of you.  Her love of crafts often found it’s way under and onto countless Christmas Trees, and many reading this obituary will think of Debbie next Christmas when you open “that box” to decorate your tree.  Love of family turned into genealogy in the last several years – researching the Menz side of the family to compliment her understanding of her Scottish roots on the Hamilton side. 

Her love of crafts blossomed into scrapbooking in 1998.  She found lifelong friends on the journey and if she wasn’t teaching or at home, she was probably at a scrapbooking workshop, trade show or a convention.  Every project she took on for friends and family were created with thought and love because you were special to her. 

Debbie’s final family was the church.  She was an active member in both Sunset United and Eastside United Churches.  Debbie brought her love of kids to the community through Children’s Ministry and helping with Props and Costumes for musical productions to support the Lumsden Beach Camp. 

The family would like to thank all of Debbie’s “extended family” that supported her over the years.  We would also like to thank the doctors and staff at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, and the Pasqua Hospital for all you did for Debbie on her journey.  You made difficult days bearable and brought a smile to her face.

Debbie, Deb, Miss Menz – you will be missed but never forgotten.  God Bless you.

A Celebration of Debbie’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Eastside United Church, 3018 Doan Drive, Regina, SK. Interment to follow at Regina Memorial Gardens. Flowers gratefully declined.  If you wish, you can donate to a charity of your choice in memory of Debbie.