Deborah Anne Christine Knechtel (Stacey) passed away peacefully on Monday, September 3, 2018, from complications from pancreatic cancer. Cremation has taken place and a small committal service will be held for family and friends on Friday at Williamsburg Cemetery in Kitchener. A celebration of her life is planned for Sunday, December 16, 2018. Details will be released as they become available.
She was Debi to all, saying “I am only called Deborah when I am in trouble.”
Debi Stacey was born November 13, 1954 to parents Robert (Bob) and Margaret (Peggy) Stacey in Penetanguishene, Ontario.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Paul Knechtel, her sons Robert (Rob) Knechtel, Richard (Rick) Knechtel, daughter-in-law Margaret, her sisters-in-law, Sharon Gingerich (Steve) and Maebelle Knechtel Bell (Russ), nieces Charlene Gingerich (Jana), Christina Gingerich, Susie Gingerich (Scott) and Stephanie Gingerich (Joel), Shannon Koebel (Matt) and Sheena Koebel (Derek). Aunt Deb will also be missed by many great-nieces and nephews.
She held a special place in her heart for her extended family, step-mother Shirley Guenther and her family, Theresa Guenther (Bruce), Mike Guenther (Debbie), Bruce Guenther (Kim), and Linda Wilkinson (Glen) and her grandchildren and greatgrandchild.
Debi was predeceased by her mother and father, her infant sister Betty Stacey, her mother-in-law Doris Knechtel, father-in-law Cranson Knechtel, and brothers-in-law Doug Subject and Guy Russel.
She will be sorely missed by her special friend Sharon.
Debi moved to Kitchener from Elmvale early in her life but was always a Lake Country girl at heart loving the Orillia - Port Severn area where she and Paul boated for many years. Her passing is mourned by the many friends she made over the years while cruising the Trent-Severn Waterway and Georgian Bay, especially her dear Daisy and Max.
Debi had a heart as big as the outdoors she loved so much.
She was actively involved in the St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation, helping to organize fund-raising golf tournaments with the GG’s, her Golf Gals, who still meet several times a year and will miss her laugh and the big hug she always had for them when they got together.
Debi volunteered with Canadian Mental Health Association manning a suicide prevention hotline.
She was a member of Kiwanis Club of Twin Cities and spent many hours planning and working the Kiwanis Festhallen at KW Oktoberfest.
After her initial cancer diagnosis and treatment, she wanted to give back to the community who had supported her through that difficult time and volunteered at the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre. Her spirit, positivity and infectious laugh left a lasting impression and she will be missed.
Donations can be made to the Grand River Hospital Foundation- Cancer Centre in her name through Henry Walser Funeral Home.
She lived for her boys and while they have lost a wonderful mother, she left them the sense of humour and the caring and compassion that she lived.
Paul has lost his best friend and soul mate but never the memories of her smile, her laugh and that little grin of determination when she was about to do something amazing.
All those who loved her know that they will always have a guardian angel with them. Her name is Debi.


Debi's Letter to Her Friends:

August 2018

My dearest Friends
I am writing this letter to update you on my health challenges.
After successful Whipple surgery, removing the malignant tumor on my pancreas, I was hopeful that I would be able to spend many years of quality time with my family and with you, my dear friends.
It now appears that God’s plan is a little bit different than mine.
I have endured and met the ensuing setbacks with an optimism that one day, I would rise to the occasion and defeat this terrible disease. It now appears that God’s plan for me is to leave you earlier than I had hoped.
My first stroke and the several weeks of rehabilitation, pushed my treatment back. I then contracted a Urinary Tract Infection, followed by a second stroke. The accompanying pain and nausea hampered my ability to eat and keep nourishment in my body, weakening it.
I now find myself, weak and in pain and with the understanding that these setbacks have allowed my cancer to spread unchecked. I am told that any Chemotherapy will be palliative, and I selfishly want my last days to be free from fighting the effects of Chemotherapy. I tried it once and didn’t like it much, so I think I will pass.
I realize that I have been given a gift, the gift of time. Time to tell you how much I love you and how much you have enriched my life. Time to spend with my family and share in their love for me and my love for them. Time to hopefully tell you in person how much you mean to me and to give you the biggest-ever hug. Time to truly appreciate the warmth of the sun on my face and the breeze through my hair.
I have been blessed with a great life, made better by the fact you were a part of it and blessed that you let me be a part of yours.
I would love to see you and will try to get to you. If I can’t and you can come to see me, that would be awesome! Paul will help me with this so reach out to him if you can’t reach me.
And if we can’t connect before I go, know that I love you and will always smile at the memories you have left me.

Love
Debi