It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Debra "Debbie" Daly Hartin on December 14th, 2022 at the age of 69. She passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by "her boys" following a several year battle with recurrent breast cancer.
Debbie was born in Windsor, Ontario, but spent most of her childhood and adolescence in New Jersey. After completing her final year of high school abroad in Lausanne, Switzerland, she returned to Canada to obtain an Honour's Visual Arts degree from Western, and later, her Master's of Art Conservation from Queen's University. It was upon the completion of her studies when she relocated to Ottawa and began what would be an extraordinary 37-year professional career at the Canadian Conservation Institute, culminating in her role as Senior Conservator, Fine Arts. This was a profession she truly loved, as it provided her the opportunity to not only practice her craft, but also to teach, conduct research and travel the world, sharing her work at numerous galleries and presenting at several international conferences and symposiums.
Despite the tremendous achievements she had in her professional career, her greatest contribution was the influence she had on others. Debbie was an incredible person - someone whose unwavering optimism, joy of life and caring nature brought with it so much love and forever enriched the lives of everyone she knew. This influence was felt most by her family who were without question her greatest love, and of which she was so extremely proud. She is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, John, her sons Andy (Michelle) & Geoff (Sarah), her stepsons Chris (Tanya) & Tim (Shirley), and 5 adoring grandchildren. She will also be dearly missed by her siblings, Lisa Daly and Peter Daly (Patti), their families along with many cherished friends.
Debbie loved to spend time with family and friends. She also treasured every moment spent at her special places - whether it be her family cottage on Georgian Bay or the condo at Mont Tremblant where many wonderful days were spent skiing, playing golf, or simply socializing with family and very close friends. All this led to great memories which will continue to live on forever.
While we have lost a wonderful person, the world will always be brighter because of the mark she left on it.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. followed by a brief reception on Thursday, January 19th at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
Digital Guestbook
Michael Roberts and Erin Primeau
Jacques Lafrance and Sylvie Bouillon
We were privileged to have met you Debbie, we keep a beautiful memory of you, your smile and your pleasant company... we will miss you. We are sending all warmest love and deepest sympathy to John and family.
Jacques Lafrance et Sylvie Bouillon.
SHARRON and JOHN HANNA
We share deeply the loss of this wonderful, caring, talented dear friend and extend our family's condolences to John and his family.
David Tremain
I worked with Debbie on several occasions when we were both at the Canadian Conservation Institute and had a good rapport with her. She was also very kind to my late wife Evelyn when she had breast cancer and came to Evelyn's celebration of life. She was a lovely person, and my heart goes out to John and family for their sad loss.
Nicole Lauzon
My sincere condolences to you John and to all your family .I was fortunate to know Deborah and appreciate her kindness. I wish you much courage to pass trough this difficult time.
John and family, please accept our sincerest condolences. Debbie was a lovely soul and we will miss her very much. You and your family are in our thoughts, with love Mike and Erin