Debbie Grace Zibresky

Debbie Grace Zibresky passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at the age of 64 years. Debbie was the third of three daughters born to George and Mabel Walchuk (nee Gudz) in Inglis, Manitoba. Debbie's early years were spent in the Municipality of Blue Wing, Manitoba until her father moved the family to a farm located in Shortdale, Manitoba in 1961 where she began her education in the rural school closest to the family farm. Years later her dad sold the family farm and moved to Grandview where Debbie began her high school years. Their home life in Grandview was short lived as her dad missed farm life and purchased another farm in Shortdale area. Debbie spent many happy years on the farm and often spoke fondly of visits with her niece, Lisa, who was only a few years younger.

By this time Debbie had met her soul mate, Richard Zibresky, son of Fred and Victoria Zibresky of Merridale. Richard and Debbie were married June 12th, 1976 at Knox United Church in Roblin, Manitoba and celebrated with family and friends at Debbie's family farm. Debbie and Richard started their life together on a farm they purchased in the Merridale area.

In the early years of their marriage, they lived in a mobile home. During this time they developed the farm yard and later moved a house onto the property. Debbie's love for vegetable gardens and flower beds grew into landscaping with trees, shrubs, rocks and many hand-selected ornaments and decorations perfectly placed around the farm yard, she was gifted with the ability to make any space into something beautiful. Debbie's garden was truly a magical place, with her fairy figurines and glass orbs that twinkled in the night. For all of her hard work, she was awarded Best in Rural from the Roblin Horticultural Society in 2003, an award for which she was very proud.

If Debbie was in the kitchen, you could be guaranteed an excellent home cooked meal and a delicious dessert. An invitation for a meal at her table was never turned down. 

Debbie’s lifelong passion was her cattle. They took priority in her daily life on the farm. She could always be spotted bouncing across the fields in her trusty Gator that she so loved to drive. With all her hard work, she gained much experience and knowledge and could carry on a conversation with any cattle producer she met. Debbie also loved her many cats and dogs over the years, each one special in their own way. She would never turn away a stray but instead invited them to join her family. She loved them all, but we believe one of her last dogs, Quincy to be the closest to her heart as her faithful companion for over 20 years.

Debbie loved nature. She would sit and read from her stack of books about birds to learn all she could about who was making nests in her trees, living in her many bird houses, or was eating from her oversized bird feeder that Richard built for her.

Everyone has a favourite time of year and for Debbie, it was Halloween. Her pumpkin patch provided her with the many jack-o-lanterns she carved intricately, and lit her veranda with assorted pumpkin faces. Along with witches, crows, black cats and hay bales sprawled across her front yard in an eye catching display. Inside the house were all of the beautiful colours of fall but she also hid a touch of Halloween in every room, including dozens of bats and spiders hanging from the ceiling. Debbie would get dressed up in different costumes over the years, and Halloween never left her heart.

Debbie lost her beloved husband, Richard on May 4th, 2011 but she continued her life on the farm. She described the farm as her "sanctuary" and never doubted for a moment that was where she would stay. Debbie remained here surrounded by nature, family and friends, and her beloved pets until her untimely death.

Debbie was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Richard Zibresky, her father, George Walchuk, her father and mother-in-law, Fred and Victoria Zibresky, her uncle, John Goods, her nephews, Brian Maluga, Grant Maluga, and Duane Shullman, as well as her niece, Lisa Maluga. 

Surviving to mourn Debbie’s passing is her mother, Mabel Walchuk of Roblin, Manitoba, her sisters, Marie Maluga of Brandon, Manitoba and Pearl (Glen) Froom of Dauphin, Manitoba, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. 

A private service to celebrate Debbie’s life was held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Home, Roblin, Manitoba with Pastor Heath Butler, followed by a graveside service at 3:00 pm due to Covid-19 restrictions. Karen Zibreski, cousin and friend of Debbie shared the words of remembrance. Selected music was “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. Casket Bearers were Riggs Taylor, Joel Taylor, Mallory Taylor, Glen Taylor, Rex Taylor and Wade Taylor. Honourary Casket Bearers were Dwayne Taylor and Emil Zibreski. 

Your family and friends will miss you deeply, Debbie. You will always be in our hearts and our minds will replay all the wonderful memories until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada 1610 18th St, Brandon, MB R7B 2P2.
 

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