To hear Debbie Dominy tell it, 1987 was a life-changing year for her. She was a struggling single parent living in St. John's raising two little girls without any family nearby. Limited education precluded any well-paying jobs and she had to apply periodically for welfare. In addition she suffered hip problems from birth and lived with constant pain, eventually receiving two hip replacements. During her 20s she suffered from alcoholism.
That year, 1987, Debbie walked into the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland on her often-present crutches to apply for a position. She got the job and quickly became a living example of single parents in crisis. With guidance and support from SPAN she gradually regained control over her life, notably being elected to the board of directors and serving as vice-chair.
Throughout her life, Debbie strived to be a better person. In 2009, with her circle of friends she proudly celebrated being alcohol-free for 20 years. She never lost sight of her dream of becoming independent and owning a piece of land in the country. She married Fred Dominy in 2003, then cajoled him to move to Tors Cove, just outside of St. John's, into their own house overlooking Beachy Cove Pond.
There they constructed shelter for a small farmyard of hens, ducks and occasionally pigs. In true Newfoundland tradition, Debbie bottled duck meat along with seal meat, moose, berries, beets and the like. She also snared rabbits and angled trout from her favourite nearby fishing holes. She could be seen standing on a rock, rod in hand, spitting on her bait for good luck and joyfully pulling in a lively mud trout.
Being a homeowner wasn't easy and Debbie never passed up an opportunity to earn extra money. Every year with Fred's help she raised chickens for market and sold eggs to her neighbours and friends. She was fondly called the "slipper lady" at the local craft markets where she sold her hand-sewn moccasin-style slippers.
From that meaningful day in 1987 until her sudden and untimely death, Debbie inspired all she met with her positive attitude and ready smile. She loved Fred, her daughters Naomi and Stephanie and her five grandchildren to distraction. As manager of SPAN's food and clothing outlet, Debbie would often start her negotiations with the boys in the Community Food Sharing warehouse with a joking, "How much do you love me today?" To everyone who knew her there is only one answer: "To the moon and stars and back again, girl."
Les and Daphne Dominy are Debbie's brother-in-law and sister-in-law.