About Deborah

Deborah was born on 22^nd May 1967, at Tidworth in Hampshire UK. Deborah's father was in the army, this meant that the family did not stay in one place, but moved around. When Deborah's father left the army, the family moved to Westward Ho! in North Devon UK.
During 1980 I was using a CB radio, and during a conversation I was invited to go for a cup of tea by the people that Deborah used to baby-sit for. That was when Deborah and I met.
Deborah and I got along with each other almost from the moment that we met. Deborah's father did not like me going out with her. I can understand this as we were both still quite young.
I asked Deborah to marry me before her sixteenth birthday, her father objected to us getting engaged. He told Deborah that we had to wait untill she was sixteen, and that I had to ask his permission to marry her. I had no problem with this. I waited about two weeks after her birthday before asking permission to marry Deborah.
In July 1985 we had our wedding banns read in St Mary's church, Bideford UK. That was the beginning of our going to church regularly.
We were married on 5^th October 1985 in St Peter's church, Bideford UK. Deborah told me that during our wedding night, I put cold water in the bath, and then put her in it. Deborah told me that she screamed as I put her in the water, and that the hotel manager came to the room to make sure that all was ok. I do not remember any of that. I had not been drinking alcohol, so was not drunk. Our honeymoon was spent in Wiltshire and Hampshire UK.
Our first child, Wilhelmina, was born on 6^th March 1987. I remember the pure happiness that Deborah had when Wilhelmina was born. Deborah was delighted to have a girl.
Our next child, Marcus, was born on 8^th January 1989. The third child, Marika, was born on 1^st September 1992. The forth, and last child, Juanita, was born on 8^th May 1994.
After we were married Deborah and I became quite involved with our parish church. Deborah helped to run 'Baby Tots' in the church, she also did 'Baptism preparation' courses. I myself, became a server, and am now head server, I also was a Deanery Synod representative.
In 1996, Deborah was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The medication that Deborah was prescribed changed her personality. None of the medical profession warned either of us about this. Consequentially, this put a big strain on our relationship. Despite this we stayed together, and adjusted to the change.
In 2000, Deborah's medication was changed. Just after it was changed, she had cellulitis in her right leg. This meant two weeks in hospital with intravenous antibiotics.
On 23^rd October 2003 Deborah died very suddenly at home. Deborah was sat at the kitchen table, she got up and walked to the fridge, about nine steps, and collapsed.The time was 7:10 am. I had just closed the door so that I could get a spoon and dish. I called an ambulance, when the two person crew arrived, they called for a back-up crew, Deborah was a large woman. They tried to keep her alive, but alas, their efforts were in vain.
According to the autopsy report, Deborah died of a massive pulmonary embolism, caused by DVT.
Deborah's funeral was the same service that is used for Easter. The four children and I took communion. The hymns were, 'All things bright and beautiful', 'Make me a channel of your peace' and 'Abba father'.