Obituary of Debbie Holland-Savoie
We, Debbie's sisters, heartbrokenly announce her passing at the Saint John Regional Hospital on October 3, 2025. Born in Fredericton on 7 December, 1966, the third of five daughters, Debbie was the much-loved and cherished daughter of the late Donald and Patience (Seaward) Holland. Debbie is survived by her four sisters: Cindy Holland (Tony Bell), Connie Holland (Myles Hall), Michelle Holland (Thomas Worden), and Patricia Holland. She is also survived by her nephews and nieces: Jocke Bell (Heather), Jasmine Leask (Kristopher), Molly Hall (J-F Cyr), David Hall, and Mattea McNair. Debbie is also survived by her great -nieces and great-nephews: Bryer, Scotlyn, Graeme, Lyla, Oscar, and Louis.
Growing up in Sussex, and then attending NBCC Moncton, Debbie became the youngest licensed chef in New Brunswick in 1985. She was 18 years old. Although her career started in Moncton, Debbie's spent most of her career in the New England area where she was a chef in a variety of restaurants, including the World Trade Centre in Boston. Often the only female chef in male-dominated kitchens, Debbie held her own and took no prisoners. One of her favourite cheffing gigs was at the Seafood Expo North America in Boston. She did this for about 20 years, stopping only when Covid hit and she moved back to New Brunswick. By far, Debbie's favourite cheffing gig was the "cafeteria lady" at Mason Elementary School in New Hampshire. Known as "Chef Deb," she built a community around her kitchen. Not only did she cook "made-from-scratch", nutritionally balanced, kid-friendly meals for her students who she knew by name, she cooked breakfasts for the parents and town seniors, and catered to the firefighters and police officers of Mason. Debbie hoped to retire from this job, but it was not to be. After the tragic death of her beloved husband Jacques Savoie (2016), Debbie eventually moved back to NB in 2020.
Jacques was the love of Debbie's life. Meeting him through friends in Moncton, Debbie took the plunge and followed him to the States. Theirs was a happy and loving marriage of 25 years that involved motorcycles, camping every summer “up north” on the river where she and Jacques enjoyed Laconia Bike Week, and enjoying the company of close friends. For years, Debbie and Jacques participated in the Hudson Fish and Game Club’s annual Thanksgiving Charity Turkey Supper where Debbie carved up dozens of turkeys in record time. Their love of beagles resulted in them raising a fur family of four dogs: Nanu, Digger, Frankie, and Savannah. Rescued from a testing lab in NH, Frankie and Savannah survive Debbie. Debbie mourned Jacques's passing for the rest of her life, quietly commemorating the anniversary of his death.
We will remember Debbie as a fiercely loving and loyal sister. She had a sarcastic sense of humour and her expressions and stories are the stuff of family legends. She has been taken from us far too soon, and we've been deprived of learning what a bad-a$$ old lady she would have been. We will love her and miss her for the rest of our lives. Debbie lived by these words: May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and the difference you make.
Besides her parents, Debbie was pre-deceased by her parents-in-laws Adelard Savoie and Jeanette Rouselle. She was also pre-deceased by Jacques's sister Carole. Debbie is survived by her sister-in-law Michelle Savoie (Derek Williams) and Michelle’s daughter Christine. Debbie is also survived by her “ride-or-die” friends Mikey, Barb, Liz, Jody, and Joy.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex NB (506) 433-1176. There will be no visitation, and a private family burial will occur later in October. For those who wish to donate in Debbie's memory, her sisters suggest the Sussex Sharing Club and the SPCA. These organizations represent what Debbie believed in: no child should go hungry, and every pet deserves a forever home.
Finally, we wish to thank the compassionate and professional health care teams at the Sussex Health Centre ER, and the ICU and Internal Medicine units of the Saint John Regional Hospital.
