CRAYSTON, Debora
1962 – 2025
Mrs. Debora ‘Deb’ Leah Crayston passed away at home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the age of 62 years.
Born in Camrose, Alberta, Deb was raised in Jasper. During her formative school years, she enjoyed and excelled in many sports, focusing primarily on figure skating. She also loved socializing with friends during coffee and tea times, as well as hanging out and celebrating on the weekends.
Deb and Mark met in High School during a student exchange trip to Quebec. After graduating from High School, Deb enrolled in the Early Childhood Development program at Red Deer Community College a year later. Upon completing her studies, she began working with the Red Deer Child Care Society working in the After-School Program and specializing in supporting children with fetal alcohol syndrome and other disabilities. During the school summer vacation period, Deb worked for Mark’s parents in Jasper at their gift shops, and primarily at the boathouse, where she really fell in love with Lac Beauvert.
In 1990, Deb and Mark were married at the Anglican Church in Jasper. Deb also took on the challenging role of School Age Program Coordinator for the Red Deer Child Care Society.
In May 1993, Deb and Mark welcomed their daughter, Kassandra. Deb chose to stay home to start a Day Home and respite care. Several years later, she returned to the Red Deer Public School District as a volunteer Educational Assistant. During Kassandra’s school years and beyond, Deb maintained a supportive and involved role as a mother, while also supporting Mark in his career. Eventually, Deb’s brother Darryl and her parents, Doug and JoAnn, moved to the Red Deer area. Her brother, Terry and his wife, Terry-Lee, Mark’s parents, Richard and Dianne, as well as good friends, kept her connected to her hometown of Jasper.
Deb took great pride in being a caring and supportive presence for many children who lacked a loving and safe person in their lives, until they met her. Her family also felt blessed by her strength, love, and unwavering support. In an almost graceless age, love and grace lived in Deb’s heart always.
Deb will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Mark; her daughter, Kassandra; her parents, Doug and JoAnn Parr; her brothers, Terry (Terry-Lee), and Darryl, and her extended family and friends.
She is deeply missed and will always be remembered…
If desired, Memorial Donations in Deb’s honor may be made directly to the Central Alberta Humane Society at www.cahumane.com or to an Animal Rescue of choice. A Celebration of Deb’s Beautiful Life will be held at Parkland Funeral Home, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alberta on Wednesday April 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2025-04-15
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com