Deborah Jean (Ohlson) Wiseman

A great soul serves everyone all the time. It bring us together again and again.

These words resonate as we announce the passing of our beloved and deeply missed Deborah Jean Wiseman of Sweaburg, Ontario. Debbie passed on Friday, July 19 at the age of 58 after a hard fought battle with Sarcoma cancer, since 2017.

Debbie was born in North Vancouver B.C. She was raised in Niagara Falls and moved to Woodstock in 1984. She graduated from A.N. Myer high school in Niagara Falls, followed by studies at the University of Western Ontario, achieving a B.A. in Physical Education. From those of us fortunate to have front row seats to a life well lived, humbly, fully, and always ready to give a helping hand, on a moments notice, we share our memories of her.

Debbie was an exceptionally gifted athlete, a leader with a highly competitive spirit and ubiquitous sense of humour. A 1980 Senior Women’s Ontario Cup Champion. She played  soccer at the University of Western Ontario on the women’s Varsity team as their striker. She remains to this day, in the top five athletes for career goals, and number of goals in one season. Deb was selected OUA West All-Star twice, inducted into the City of Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame, A.N. Myers Athletic Wall of Distinction, and the University of Western Ontario Women’s Soccer Athletic Wall of Honour.

While raising her three children she stayed highly involved in their sports teams and school. Deb volunteered and coached many teams, including Sweaburg/East Oxford school volunteer, Sweaburg minor ball, Woodstock minor soccer, and Woodstock Wildcats girls hockey.

Eventually, Deb got back into athletics herself and loved working out at Goodlife fitness where she took up weightlifting and for her it was very empowering.

At 50 years old, Deb completed the very challenging Grouse Grind in Vancouver with her daughter Maddie. A year later completed the Sea and Sky hike in Squamish B.C. While training to complete the Grouse Grind for a second time at 52, she discovered the lump in her leg that would begin her journey. Deb NEVER lost her focus, drive, humour or hope for a cure. On many occasions she stated how grateful she was to be an athlete, as she new how to navigate through pain and challenges. Many of her medical team would comment on what an unbelievably strong and dynamo of a human being she was. Throughout the many difficult realities of cancer treatment, Deb never complained. She always leaned into a challenge with sheer unwavering patience, indomitable spirit, a grateful heart, all while keeping everyone laughing and the energy in the room bright.

Deb is survived by her loving husband of 35 years Jeff Wiseman, children Maddie Wiseman (Mike Prince), Kendra Vandecamp (Lucaas), Brody Wiseman (Lindsey Huff); mother Nila Ohlson; mother-in-law Joyce Wiseman; sisters Susan Ohlson, Lori Neale (Rick); brother-in-law Steve Wiseman (Bonnie); nieces and nephews Jasper, Liam and Olin Neale, Melissa Wiseman (Braden Bjornson), Stephanie Boris (Brennan); great nephews, Hunter and Zane Boris. Deb was pre deceased by her father Carl Ohlson and father-in-law Don Wiseman.

Deb and Jeff were beyond grateful for the exceptional care that she received and wanted to express sincere thanks to:
Dr. Regis and the WGH Palliative Team
Family, friends and the Sarcoma support squad
Care Partners Robbie, Sandeep and Lucia
Dr. Tam, Sandy and Jennifer
Dr. Swart (Woodstock)
Dr. Peter Ferguson (Mount Sinai)
Dr. Diane Logan, Dr. Pencila Lang (LRCP)
Dr. Lauzoda (LHSC)
Dr. Dhaliwal (LHSC)
Goodlife gym friendships
Sweaburg Wine Club - Nora, Connie, Sue, Donna, Bernadette
Woodstock General Hospital Chemo Unit
Woodstock General Hospital Emergency Department
Woodstock General Hospital Critical Care Unit

The Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 11 at Craigowan Golf Club from 1 - 4pm

Sarcomas are a very rare form of cancer (less than 1% of all cancers). Research funding is incredibly small. The family requests in lieu of flowers please donate to the following foundations.

Donations may be made to the Sinai Health Foundation and designated to the SARCOMA RESEARCH FUND online by visiting www.supportsinai.ca (select Other and indicate Sarcoma Research Fund) or calling 416-586-8203 of 1-877-565-8555

OR

whfoundation.ca
Woodstock Hospital Foundation Emergency Department

If you are able please consider making an appointment with your local Canadian Blood Services to donate blood. It saves lives.

After cremation, Deb will be placed in the “Penthouse Suite” of the columbarium at the Sweaburg cemetery. She will be facing the road so she can see her friends and family drive by. She asks that you please give her a honk and wave. She will be smiling brightly and laughing away.

Deb asked that we share these few words, by an unknown author, she found on social media that spoke to her.

“I hope death is like being carried to your bedroom when you were a child and fell asleep on the couch during a family party. I hope you can hear the laughter from the next room.”

Thank you so much to all those who attended Debbie’s celebration of life .It was one of her final & most adamant wishes , that as many of her family & friends would be able to get together & enjoy one another’s company while saying goodbye & perhaps even tipping a glass to a woman who loved life & fought like hell to stay with us as long as she could .She refused to show neither weakness or fear , only the desire that all those she loved would be ok .
Also ,I would like to thank everyone who made any sort of donation in Debbie’s memory .She spoke early on in her diagnosis , that she wanted to help others fighting there own battles any way she could. ( NOBODY FIGHTS ALONE ! )
She was a friend to be held dear & the wife, mom, sister & daughter to be cherished forever .