Obituary of Debi Richard

A few moments before sunrise on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, Deborah Anne “Debi” Richard (Turner) of Stratford, passed peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, age 74.

Devoted wife of 50 years to Dennis “Rick” Richard. Dear mother to Gillian MacNevin (Jeff), Shana Richard (Eugene) and Justin Richard (Laura). Sister of Marilyn Mills (Steve) and Teresa Grant (Barry). Loving grandmother to Nolan, Madelyn, Rylie, Jayce, Ellie, Bennett, and Gabrielle.  Predeceased by her parents Tom and Leah (Reid) Turner and by her sister Judy Burns.

She had a strong Christian faith and was a long-time member of the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Women’s League. 

Debi was an active community volunteer in her parish, local schools, gymnastics, synchronized swimming, and the Girl Guides of Canada.  She was also a proud hockey and baseball/softball mom.  She was a graduate at Dalhousie University and had a long career as a Registered Dental Hygienist in many local dental offices. She was a two-time Provincial Curling Champion and represented the province at National Championships.  Debi was in her “comfort zone” as a spiritual leader with her friends in her parish CWL.  Her spirituality and devotion to God were constants in her daily life.  Her strong faith supported her to face every challenge with courage and acceptance.  

Later in her life, she was most happy tending to her gardens, discovering new hiking trails, kayaking down gentle rivers, and most of all, hanging with her grandkids and being the best grandmother. Being a grandmother brought her immense joy, and she embraced that role with love and laughter. She was her grandkids’ biggest fan.

Besides her extended family, she leaves behind her CWL sisters, friends from the book club, SALC bridge club, friends from golf and curling, her dental family, and many friends and neighbors in PEI and her birth province of NS. 

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her kindness, faith, generosity, and the love she shared so freely with all who knew her.

Special thanks to Home Care team, Palliative Care team, EMS team as well as the nurses, doctors, staff, and student nurses at QEH Unit 2, Unit 1, and Emergency Department.

Resting at Hillsboro Funeral Home, Stratford from where visiting hours will be held on Monday April 6, from 2-5 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held from Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Stratford, PEI on Tuesday April 7, 2026 at 10:30 am. Interment later in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made online to Our Lady of the Assumption Building Fund or QEH Foundation.