
Viner; Deborah Gail , age 65, of Lakeview, Nova Scotia, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at Hospice Halifax on February 10, 2022.
Daughter of the late Murdock and Anne (MacLennan) MacAulay, Deborah lived in Cape Breton for many years. While raising her family, she pursued many hobbies such as cake decorating, sewing, swimming, singing, playing guitar, and was an involved member of the River Denys Presbyterian Church. A love of learning led her back to school where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies followed by a Master of Arts in Education. She had numerous interesting travels taking her to Vietnam, Thailand, China, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Greece where she swam 28 kms in the Mediterranean Sea to raise money for student bursaries. Deborah dearly loved her five grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with her husband David.
Deborah is survived by her husband David Viner, her children Kelly (Paula Derdiger) MacPhail, Duluth, MN, and Crystal (Craig) Doggett, Milton, NS, sister Murdith MacAulay, Port Hawkesbury, NS, brothers Glenn (Helen) MacAulay, Sudbury, ON, and Roy (Barbara Butler) MacAulay, Mahone Bay, NS, grandchildren, Kennice, Kyleigh, Kathryn, Owen and Irene, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, former spouse Raymond MacPhail, River Denys, NS, and best friend “Grasshopper” Carolyn Laybolt, Eastern Passage, NS.
At Deborah’s request, her body was donated to Dalhousie University for the advancement of science. A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in Deborah’s memory may be made to Hospice Halifax or to a charity of your choice. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.chandlersfuneral.com
She greatly appreciated the love and support of the Viner, MacPhail, and Doggett families. Her family would like to thank Dr. C. Giacomantonio, palliative care nurse Mitch Devoe, and the staff at Hospice Halifax for their support and compassionate care.
Offer Condolence for the family of Viner; Deborah Gail

Gordon Eisnor
Crystal:My sincere condolences to you on the passing of your mom,and to Craig on the loss of his mother-in-law.
Brenda and Ira Huskins
So sorry to read of your Mother’s passing Chrstal.
Darlene Connolly
Crystal, Craig and girls – Sincere condolences on the passing of your mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
Marion Campbell
To the family,
Sending our Sincere Condolences, Love and Prayers to you all! She will be dearly missed!
Sincerely, Bobby & Marion Campbell
Neilena Smith
Kelly, Crystal and Family,
We have many fond memories of Debby! Our sincere condolences and love to you all!
David, Neilena & Carol Smith
Marsha & Mike Ringer
Crystal, Craig and Family
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Brent and Becky Austen
Our sincere sympathy to Kelly and Crystal and all family members of your Mothers family on her passing . God Bless and take care!
Sending Love and Hugs ❤️
Love Brent and Becky Austen
Timothy and Colleen Roy and June MacDonald
Crystal ,Craig and Family
We were sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing . Hold her memories close to your hearts and she will be with you always .Sending prayers and hugs .
Gail Gillis
Crystal, Kelly and families – I am so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. She was a lovely lady and will be missed. May the happy memories bring you all comfort.
The Anderson’s
We are so sorry for this profound loss. Your mom was always so welcoming! I’ll always remember visiting you all in Whycocomagh and learning about leather crafting ♥️
Allan and Beth LaRocque
Crystal and Family
We are very sorry to hear of your mother passing. We met her a few years ago. She was a very nice lady. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Take care.
Jennifer (Rouse) LeDue and family
Our sincere condolences to you all.I had many great memories of and with Debbie, through Sunday school and swimming lessons. Many memories that I have and will
Always cherish
We lost touch over the years with us moving around, but will never forgot what a wonderful soul she was.
May she rest peacefully. Sending love, hugs and prayers to Kelly and Crystal and family’s and David.
Kim Jackson
Crystal and family. Sorry to hear about your Mom. Thing about you and your family.
MaryAnne MacKeigan
I am so sorry to hear of Debbie’s death yet thrilled to hear of the wonderful adventures she had! She was a bright light when I lived on the Marsh Road, so proud of Kelly and Crystal.
Prayers of peace to all. xo
Glenda and Calvin Matthews
Kelly, Crystal and families – We are so sorry to hear of Debbie’s passing. She was a wonderful friend and will be missed dearly. Her precious memories will bring comfort and peace to you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Love and hugs
Glenda and Calvin
Vernon & Joyce Hawkes
Crystal and Family.
We are very sorry for your loss. Treasure your memories.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Beth Stuart
Crystal, our sincere condolences in your tremendous loss. Your mom was such a wonderful person! Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. May your hearts mend with time and your memories remain strong.
All our love,
Beth & Stephen
Nat Mudge
Crystal, Kelly and David, my first condolences are to you who were the closest to Deb, and who will without a doubt, miss her more (more often, more deeply, often more quietly and longer) than the rest of us can know. Then, to Craig and Paula and all of Deb’s grandchildren; She never had anything but good things to say of any of you. You were all safe in her heart, and that was a wonderful place to be. To my Mom and Uncles Glenn and Roy, I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine the loss. To my cousins, I’m right here. Uncle Raymond, you have been a steadfast friend and constant support, before, during and after your marriage. She always had a special place in her heart for you, as one of the most trustworthy men she knew, with a heart of gold. And you KNOW how she adored your family. To the rest of her family and friends, Deb’s going to leave a hole in all our lives, in big ways and small, but as long as she occupies a piece of our heart or mind, as a happy memory would, she’ll never be far away in spirit.
Cathy Chisholm Matheson
David, Kelly, Crystal, and families
So very sorry to hear of Debbie’s passing. She and I shared so many wonderful memories as kids growing up together in Cape Breton. She will certainly be missed. May your precious memories give you comfort in the difficult times ahead.
Deepest condolences
Cathy Chisholm Matheson
Margie Ellis
Kelly,Crystal and families,My sincere condolences to you on the passing of your Mom. She was a great neighbour and very kind . Margie, Travis and Daisy
Allan Rouse
Sorry for your loss she was a very nice lady
Allison Hynes
Crystal,
I am so very sorry to learn of the loss of your Mom. I will always remember her as a gentle, lovely soul. Condolences to you and your family.
Wilma MacInnis
My Deepest Sympathy to The Families and Friends May Her Precious Soul Rest In Peace Debbie will be Remembered and Missed
Shannon Sutherland-Lawlor
I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Deborah, my condolences to the family. I was lucky enough to have worked with Deborah at DCS. I will remember her for her lovely smile, loving personality and her overall kindness. May you rest in peace Deborah.
Pat Dixon
Crystal,Craig &family
So sorry to hear of your mother’s.passing.Now no more pain.
Thinking of you all at this very difficult time.
Nina & Doug
Crystal, we are very sorry to see that your Mom has passed away. Sincere condolences to you, Craig & the girls. May she rest in peace.
Helen MacAulay
Our deepest sympathy to Debby’s imminent family.
Debby was a bridesmaid at our wedding, & visited us in St. John NB while we awaited the birth of our
twins. Our paths crosse real times over the years at such celebration as Christmas.
We all had such beautiful memories of Debby. She was a very accomplished woman,
& a fine woman to all her family.
Helen MacAulay. ( Glenn’s wife)
Philip& Holly Smith
A most accomplished, kind, unassuming, thoughtful woman….so sorry to David, Kelly, Crystal and families, Raymond, and her siblings. We are so sorry you have lost this wonderful soul, yet glad that her difficult days are over. May Debbie rest easy now.
Thinking of everyone as you say goodbye, each in your own way, and praying you find peace and comfort in the enduring memories.
Such a lovely video filled with love and joy.
Holly and Philip
Jody Arenburg (Matheson)
So sorry to hear of your loss. May your best memories get you through the difficult times ahead.
Ferne Matheson
I’m so sad to hear of Deborah’s passing I worked with her for a brief time at the DCS office in Lower Sackville. I will always remember her beautiful smile and sweet personality. My sincere sympathies to all of her family.
Ashley Mckinnon
Crystal and family, so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, remember to keep the memories close and forever in your heart
Brenda Dunphy
Ah Crystal and Kelly and all of Debbie’s family, we are so sad to hear that she is gone from this world! She always brings a smile to my face because I have never been as shocked in my life as one time when we were at a hockey game in Mabou. The guy I was dating was playing on Raymond’s team and we traveled to the game together. Some guy was chirping about the River Denys team all through the game and it was hard to take. When we were leaving the arena, he came behind us and was keeping it up and then I heard a loud smack. I turned around and he was going down, and your mom rushed by me. She had walloped him one. I couldn’t stop laughing, I was so shocked. Still am. I ran into her again while I was working with NSCC and she was still smiling and the remembrance video says it all. Smiling to the end. I am sure you have lots of good memories, but it will be sad. Condolences from both Ed and Brenda (MacLennan) Dunphy
Janet Matheson
So sorry to hear of Debbies passing it seems like only yesterday we were all swimming at the shore in Hazeldale. The video is beautiful and we are sending our love and deepest sympathy to you all Janet and Stephen Matheson
Linda& Greg Mac Kenzie
I am so saddened to hear of Debbie ‘s passing. We were childhood friends for many years with lots of good memories at her home in Hazeldale .Sending sincere condolences to Debbie’s chrildren ,Kelly , & Crystal , & their families . Her sister Murdith & her family.Brothers Glen & Roy. Condolences also to Debbie’s husband & Family . ❤️
Judi & Ken Minard
Crystal,Craig and family
We were sad to learn of your mother, Debbie’s, passing. Our sincere condolences.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Roy and Marybelle Matheson
So sorry to hear of Debbie’s passing.A beautiful lady,who will be missed by all who knew her..Love to all The family
Sonya
To Crystal, Craig and the girls
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Deborah sounded like someone you were most fortunate to have had in your lives. Keep good memories in your heart’s pocket and carry them wherever you go.
Sonya, Gerard, Ella and Calum
Donna and Duncan MacLennan
Very sorry to hear of Debbie’s passing .May you keep
all the fond memories close to your hearts.Deepest sympathy to all
Jenny Comeau
Kelly and Crystal and family: so sorry to hear of your great loss. Keep your memories close! ❤️❤️
Murrena Kennedy
Kelly, Crystal, your families and all of your Mom’s loved ones
I am remembering many times when your Mom and I were involved with music at our churches and even when she was my hairdresser for awhile. Her musical talent was always cheerfully shared. So sorry that her life was difficult
recently due to illness. Sincere sympathy from Dougie and I.
Ann Whalley
Crystal and Kelly and your families, Terry and I offer our deepest condolences on the loss of your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lorraine Pye-Varnes
So sorry to hear of Deborah’s passing. She was a lovely colleague from NSCC and a special family friend. Always smiling, kind and gentle. Hugs to the family for your great loss.
Lorraine Pye-Varnes and family.