It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Debra “Debbie” Hills (Smart) on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the age of 73, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly.

Born on March 20, 1953, to Neal and Eva Smart, Debbie spent most of her life in Prince Albert and built a life full of family, friendship, community, laughter, creativity, and love.

Debbie worked in a variety of jobs throughout her life. She began as a kitchen worker at the old Pineview Terrace Lodge and later worked as a housekeeper at North Park Centre. She then moved into retail, starting at Saan and eventually becoming a manager at Saan For Kids and Casual Looks Plus at the South Hill Mall. She later worked for several years as a clerk at Saskatchewan Penitentiary before retiring.

In 2005, Debbie and her husband, Jerry, moved to their acreage in Spruce Home, where they became active members of the community. They volunteered and participated in countless events at the Spruce Home Hall and made many wonderful friendships along the way. Debbie especially treasured her ladies’ group, the Bingo Babes, and rarely missed an opportunity to play bingo with them.

Later, Debbie and Jerry moved to Warman, Saskatchewan, but their summers were spent at the place that became such a special part of their lives, Emma Lake. They were fortunate to make many wonderful friends there, their cherished “lake family.” Summers were filled with campfires, Rider games, potlucks, laughter, and good times. And, of course, no gathering was complete without something Debbie had baked, especially one of her famous pies.

Debbie loved having family and friends together, and game nights were a favourite. She enjoyed card games and board games, the laughter, and the friendly competition. Whether gathered around the kitchen table or spending an evening at the lake, some of the best memories were made over a game, a little teasing, and plenty of laughter.

Debbie was a true busybody in the very best sense of the word. She was happiest when she was creating, organizing, helping, or making something beautiful. She had an incredible talent for crafts and spent countless hours cross-stitching, knitting, sewing, quilting, and crocheting. Many family members and friends have treasured stockings, quilts, crocheted pieces, and knitted creations made by Debbie.

If you were fortunate enough to receive one of Debbie’s handmade crafts, you knew it was made with love.

Her creativity extended far beyond the crafts she knew and loved. Debbie was always willing to try something new, whether it was a farmers market, a craft show, or experimenting with something like fused glass. She loved audiobooks, puzzles, baking, Sunday suppers, pies and cookies for every occasion, and, perhaps most of all, finding something to organize and keep her hands occupied.

Debbie was also a passionate sports fan. She was never one to miss a Saskatchewan Roughriders game and faithfully followed her beloved Toronto Blue Jays and Prince Albert Raiders.

But what she loved most was being a grandma.

She attended every hockey tournament she could, including the away tournaments, and could be found in the stands cheering at ball games, soccer games, dance recitals, music recitals, and school sporting events. It didn’t matter where the game was or how far she had to travel; Grandma was going to be there.

She showed up for her family, her friends, her neighbours, and her community. She showed up with a pie, a craft, a story, a laugh, or a helping hand.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Neal and Eva Smart, and her brother, Duane Smart.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 54 years, Jerry, and her children: Sherry (Aaron) Palidwar, Christine Hills, and Trevor (Kim Stevens) Hills. She is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Taylor (Patrick) Rishchynski, Meagan (Nicholas) Palidwar-Volaris, Jenna (Kassi) Palidwar, Aidan, Mackenzie, Madison, Nola, and Claire; her great-grandchildren, Caleb and Olivia.

She is also survived by her sister, Marilyn (Kevin) Fyrk; nieces Jessica (Quinton Thoen) Fyrk and their children, Indy and Nori; niece Kate (Chris Dziki) Fyrk; nephew Craig (Christy) Smart and their children; nephew Kevin Smart; and numerous other nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was the one who made sure everyone was fed. The one who brought the pie. The one who had a cookie ready for every occasion. The one who was always finding something to do, even when nobody had asked her to. The one who could never resist making things just a little more organized.

She was the grandma sitting in the stands, cheering a little louder than everyone else.

We will miss her laugh, her stories, her busy hands, her baking, her love of sports, her excitement over a new craft, her Sunday suppers, and her game nights.

We will miss summer evenings at Emma Lake, the campfires, the potlucks, the Rider games, the card games, the board games, and all the laughter.

Most of all, we will miss her.

But every time we pick up a handmade blanket, see a cross-stitched stocking, make one of her recipes, sit around a campfire at Emma Lake, watch the Riders, gather around a Sunday supper table, play a game with family, or find ourselves cheering from the sidelines for our own children and grandchildren, we will think of Debbie.

And if you are lucky enough to have something Debbie made, hold onto it.

It wasn’t just a craft.

It was her way of saying, “I love you”

You spent your life showing up for all of us. Your love will live on in everything you gave us, everything you taught us, and every memory we carry with us.

Rest peacefully, Mom.

The family would like to thank Dr Mark Fenske and the staff at the Palliative Care unit at St Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon for the exceptional care received during her stay.

Debra's Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in the Martens Warman Funeral Home, 402 Central Street West, Warman, SK. Please join the family for lunch and fellowship after Debra's Memorial Service.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to be entrusted with the care and arrangements of Mrs. Hills.