Obituary of Deborah Frances Marthe Lutes

Debi Francis Marthe Lutes (nee Sparling) was born March 27th, 1963 to Joseph (d. 2017) and Doreen Sparling (nee Tyler). She was the eldest of three children and was sister to Diane (Donald) and David (Tina). She married David Lutes in 2001 and was a devoted mother to Tia and Andrew. She was an aunt, godmother, and friend to multiple nieces, nephews, and godchildren. She was a loving daughter-in-law to the late Gilbert and Jeannie Lutes (d. 2021 and 1997), and a kindred sister to Ali Hughes (Ken). Debi was an absolute pillar of her community, and she left sparkle wherever she went. She always lived life to the fullest and was know by all for her random and loving act of the littlest of things. With the motto “little steps, big victories,” she tenaciously embraced each joyful and turbulent moment with wisdom, grace, and ease. Although she inspired greatness and shone a spotlight on those around her, she was always the silent, yet powerful, wind beneath everyone’s wings; always supporting others and lifting them up and asking for nothing in return. Her beauty shone in her humility, selflessness, and loyalty. While she embraced all the quiet and peaceful moments by herself and with her family, she also relished the adventurous side of life and could always be found scheming up trouble her close “partners in crime”. Throughout her life, she wore many different hats. As a teenager she was an avid survival camper with the Raccoons in Montral and was always full of stories of the fun adventures they had and the life lessons it taught her. During her young adult years, she worked compassionately along with her father in his many ministries to the poor, imprisoned, and those battling with addictions. Debi had a passion for working with children and youth and supported the children in her community through leading local Catholic Youth Groups. All of this led to an awe-inspiring career in child-care as she touched the lives of many children and family within the community, including being instrumental in the opening of the Merrickville Day Nursery. Later in life, Debi became a prominent member of the Saint Ann’s Catholic Church serving on many committees, especially fundraising, as well as helping to keep the church immaculate with the help of her family. Debi was an exceptional multi-tasker and driven woman, raising Tia as a single mom while working full-time and running her own craft business. Debi was influential in her children’s education devoting herself to homeschooling both children and guiding them to graduate with honours, all the while being a dedicated wife. Every day, right up to her death, Debi could be found drinking a cup of coffee, yarn by her side, and knitting needles in her hand as she wove together prayers and love as she knitted hugs for anyone who needed them. Debi was devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows and Saint Michael and was constantly wearing her rosary ring and praying to her favorite saints. She possessed a warrior’s spirit her whole life and passed away peacefully with her husband and children by her side on July 3, 2023, with all the grace, spunk, and pizzaz that she displayed her whole life. A funeral mass will be held Friday, July 7, 2023 at 11:00 am at Saint Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in Merrickville, with the burial following immediately after at Holy Cross Cemetery in Kemptville. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Lannin Funeral Home. Online condolences available at www.lannin.ca