It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Debra Gail McKinnon Lockwood on April 30, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.
Debra is survived by daughter Tara (Aaron) and grandchildren Liam and Beckett, daughter Thais and son Dustin (Maddison).
Debra was born at Grande Prairie, Alberta, on June 25, 1955, and moved to Vernon, BC, as a child, where she lived on a farm in the BX District. This would precipitate a love for gardening and plant life. Debra was able to help her father in his jewelry business and gained a great love of jewelry and vintage clocks. Debra loved the Okanagan sun and the beautiful countryside.
Moving with her family to Powell River in 1985, Debra continued to work in the jewelry business, but as a budding entrepreneur, decided to open her own coffee shop, Aroma’s, adjacent to Powell River Airport. It was here that she was able to share her love of baking with her many customers and serve them the best coffee in Powell River. She loved looking after her customers and staff. Aroma’s, along with her grandchildren Liam and Beckett, was her proudest achievement.
In terms of community involvement, Debra enjoyed volunteering her time with the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society, which does incredible work for those needing bone marrow transplants.
Ill health forced the closure of Debra’s beloved coffee shop and in 2018 she took up residency in Evergreen Extended Care, where she was looked after by caring nurses and caregivers.
The family’s thanks go out to Dr. Pieter Rossouw for his dedicated care, along with Sean Byrne at Evergreen Extended Care, who was a tireless advocate for Debra.
By request, there will be no service of remembrance.
