06-Oct-1957 - 07-Nov-2025
Forever loved and always remembered. It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Debbie Smyth (née Akerman), who left us unexpectedly on November 7, 2025, at the age of 68.
Debbie was born in Sudbury, Ontario on October 6, 1957, to Marvin and Loretta (née Duggan) Akerman and older brother Allan. She met her loving husband Peter Smyth at the age of 18 while attending Lively High.
Debbie and Peter married on October 6, 1979, and moved to Richmond Hill to begin their lives together. They moved into their new home in Newmarket in 1984, where they raised their family for the past 41 years.
Debbie was the proud mother of Erin Smyth (Caleb) and Lauren Belanger (née Smyth) (Andrew) and adoring fur grandma to Kenzie and Sawyer.
She enjoyed a long and successful career with Richmond Hill Hydro/PowerStream, where she held numerous positions working her way up to a senior management position. Debbie’s intelligence, dedication and compassion helped with her career and made long lasting relationships with colleagues along the way.
Just like her mother, Debbie had a green thumb and loved to tend to her flower gardens where she could admire them while sitting on her front porch. An avid cruiser, she enjoyed travelling the world with her husband and family. There was rarely a family gathering where stories of their infamous Baltic cruise were not shared. If she wasn’t travelling or sitting on her front porch, you could find her walking her grandpups through the forest or on one of her daily trips to Longos, Homesense or Bradford Greenhouses.
Debbie was predeceased by her parents and brother Allan (Debbie) and is survived by many nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly.
Debbie’s wit, warmth and love touched everyone she met, and her family will forever keep these qualities alive in their hearts.
A celebration of life will be held for friends and family on November 15, 2025 at the home of Kerry and Moira Burden. Please feel free to drop in anytime between 2pm – 5pm for light appetizers, to raise a glass, share stories and celebrate the life of Debbie.
For the address or additional details regarding the celebration of life, please email [email protected].
Donations In lieu of flowers can be made in Debbie’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Arrangements entrusted to Taylor Funeral Home