Debora ‘Deb’ Suzanne MacAulay, 51, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, passed away peacefully on October 31st, 2025, at Hospice Halifax. 

Deb was born on Cape Breton Island to Katherine Mae (MacLennan) and James Earl MacAulay. She grew up in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, but considered the shores of Hogama home–a place where she enjoyed the people, the views, and the music with all her heart.

Debora had a thirst for travel encouraged by her Grade 12 exchange year in Devon, England. This experience inspired her later travels to Scotland, France, Italy, Ireland, and Greece to name a few. She loved travelling within Canada the most, especially exploring all the wonderful gems of Nova Scotia.

Deb was a generous soul, opening her home to many friends and family over the years. She loved to host, and had an eye for the fine details like no other. She had a gift of making everyone around her feel loved and special.

A public servant at heart, Deb took great pride in serving her country as a government employee. From her early days with the Nova Scotia government to her long career as a civilian with the Department of National Defence, she carried on the family tradition.

Deb is survived by her sister and best friend, Doreen MacAulay, brother-in-law, Mark Mellon, and her beloved niece, Emily Mellon. She will be missed by her aunts and uncles, Duart (Connie) MacAulay, Leanne (Neil) MacKinnon, Francis MacKinnon (and family), Marie (Clifford) Collins, Murdoch MacLean; as well as her grand-uncle and aunt, Sandy (Nancy) McLean. She will also be missed by her maternal cousins, Karen (Carl), Curtis (Kelly), John, Jason, Michelle, Nick (Kira), Jorden (Sam), Shelby, Brody, Ella, and their families; and by her paternal cousins who lovingly considered her a “Cous-Aunt”, Breagh, Brooke (Ian), Hilary (Logan), and Liam.

She is predeceased by her parents, Katherine Mae (MacLennan) and James Earl MacAulay; her grandparents, John Allen and Agnus MacLennan, and John Edward and Mary MacAulay; her aunt, Johnena MacLean; and her uncle Richard MacLennan.

Our family is also profoundly grateful to our friends, community, and extended family for the support, meals, visits, and love that surrounded Deb and our family throughout this journey. The family would especially like to thank Angela, Sheila, Robin, Lisa, Kendra, Thea, Bonnie-Jean, and Sean, for being by her side every step of the way. Karyn, Paul, Daniel, Tara, and the Lewis boys - thank you for helping to make her last days happy ones. You are all true friends.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to everyone who cared for Deb with such kindness and dignity throughout her illness–especially Dr. Bentley and the QEII Cancer Centre team; Cindy Bell and the Halifax Palliative Care team; and finally, the amazing nurses, doctors, and staff of Hospice Halifax. Your support brought great comfort to Deb and her loved ones.

A private internment will take place.  A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2026, with details to be provided at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Halifax in Debora’s memory.

Arrangements are under the care of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.