Deborah Bone MBE 10/01/63 – 30/12/14
Thank you for taking the time to share in this journey with Deborah and our family.
We are sorry to let you know that after a brave fight, Deborah passed away on December 30th, peacefully at home. She loved life and fought to the end.
Deborah was a truly inspirational woman, always putting other people before herself. She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around her and it is with great pride we can tell you that in the New Years honours list 2015 she received an MBE for her services to children’s mental health.
She leaves behind a loving family – her two beautiful daughters, grandson and husband who all miss her greatly and will continue to follow in her footsteps.
As a family, we would like to thank you all for the support and kind wishes. We will be creating a book of our Mummy’s life and memories. Please could you share any photographs, notes or thoughts with us so together we can forever honour her memory.
Her funeral will be held on January the 16th at 11am in St Nicholas’s Church Hinxworth, Hertfordshire. We would like to ask for donations to Young Minds to enable Deborah continue her passion to improve children’s mental health.
With love always from,
Colin, Pollyanna and Jemima
Welcome to the Parallel Universe 
Deb will be in our hearts forever. Xx
So upset to hear the sad news. I am a friend of Jack’s & had been following Deborah’s journey through her blogs – what a positive, strong woman she was – I have nothing but admiration for her.
Please accept my condolences along with my friend Sylvia’s, who has also followed Deborah’s blogs – we both feel we knew her.
Thinking of you all at this very sad time,
Sue Claret
just to say how sad I am for you all. I’ve followed debs journey she had her stem cell the month before me and I watched her ups and downs closely I can’t believe how quickly all’s gone so wrong I’m struggling to understand love to you all and good luck with the new baby . ann quinn
Much love to you all you are in our thoughts
Jo and Keith xxx
I am so, so sorry. It was a privilege to meet her and may I send my love to you all – you don’t know me – I et her at Lister Hospital and I won’t forget her.
I am so sorry for your loss. I followed your mom’s blog on the beacon and was inspired by her courage and bravery. What a terrible loss for you! I know her love for her family was boundless. Rest in peace Deborah. A beautiful soul.
We are so very privileged to have had dear,sweet,clever Deborah as our niece and to have shared a friendship with Colin too.There are not too many people who really make a difference to this world but Debs was certainly such a one.She had the most amazing nature,she was funny yet wise,thoughtful,kind and so beautiful in every way.
To all those who loved her,there will be a space forever for memories of this wonderful person.Each of us will hold onto shared moments,special times that we spent together.Deborah loved life and treasured her children,she had a soul mate in Colin and an amazing and beautiful friend and sister in Kate.
Ken and myself want to express our deepest sympathy to all the family,we are thinking of you with much love.
So sorry. I have followed her blog & she was very positive about everything.
Thinking of Deborah’s girls & Colin at this sad time.
So sorry to learn today that Deborah has passed away. I was honoured to of worked with a truly beautiful, inspirational, dedicated and compassionate practitioner in the NHS. She will be very much missed kind regards Chris Milne x
Sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts our with her family. I had the pleasure of working with Deborah who was such an inspiration. I admired her passion and actions to address the needs of those young people we worked with. Rob Bacon x
So sorry to hear your loss of an amazing and inspirational wife, mother, grandma and colleague . She will be in our future thoughts and continue to be around us at work. Gina and Steve Davies
I’m so glad, Colin, Pollyanna, Jem, that you have allowed us who have followed Deborah’s blog an opportunity for a final contribution: not only in Deb’s memory, she who put up such a valiant fight against a particularly wicked cancer, and who has now received the ultimate honour of an MBE commemorating her amazing life, career and commitment, but also for you, her family and support system. You all, who have spent the last two years giving her unstinting and selfless care and love. Deborah’s mother Jill and her husband Mile, I know also deserve mention for all their help. The whole family: WHAT A TEAM. Deborah was immensely proud of her grandfather, a WW2 fighter pilot, she also, had “the Torch”, the courage and dedication, and has given us so many reasons to be proud of her, and now Pollyanna and Jem, you hold the Torch. You all are held in my heart with much love
Sent from my iPad
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I am so sorry for your loss. Deb was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all. May she RIP in the arms of God and the angels.
Toni.in Portland Oregon
An amazing legacy to an amazing person. RIP Deborah, you will be sadly missed. Much love and deepest condolences to you all. xxxxx
I am so very saddened for your loss. Deborah was an inspiration to me, and I enjoyed following her posts. I am going to miss hearing from her. May she rest in peace. And may love and light carry you through this incredibly difficult time. Sending much love and peace to you from across the pond.
Barbara Moesta in Sacramento, CA
My very heartfelt condolences to you all – you are in my thoughts. I feel most honoured to have known Deborah, from my days as a colleague in Hertfordshire and have so much to thank her for personally and professionally, as do many people whose lives have also been touched by the most amazing Deborah. Thank you for letting us know. Reni
I am so terribly saddened to hear of your loss. I knew Debs for such a brief moment in time and during that discovered such a wonderful, warm and caring woman. My thoughts and condolences are with you all at this very sad time. Well done Deborah …. an MBE honour, how very fitting and nothing less than you deserve. RIP love – Jayne xx
It is with profound sadness that I reply to your post.
I didn’t know Deborah. She was a willowy Audrey Hepburn type who wafted in and out when I knew her beautiful sister back a million years ago. Impossibly cool and grown up to a 15 year old observer.
But I have reconected with Kate this year and she has filled my inbox with anecdotes and love for her beloved sister.
Kia Kaha
Rejoice in the time you had.
With much love
Sincerely
Russell in New Zealand
Very sad, Debs was a good and very brave person. I know she would have been pleased about the MBE and it is well deserved. I have lots of happy memories with Debs and I will send some to you for the book. I think this blog has been a credit to her bravery and character. I will never forget her. My thoughts and love are with you. xx Kathy Dunnett
Dear Colin, Pollyanna and Jemima
I am so very sorry to hear of your sad loss, I am in such shock and disbelief and cannot begin to imagine what you are all going through.
I had the pleasure of working with Deborah for a few years, we met at her M.A.D Training Sessions and we hit it off right away I found her to be so inspiring and such an amazing lady who was so passionate about life, her family and her work. Deborah taught me so much for which I am eternally grateful for! I will miss her cheeky smile however her love and work will continue to live on in her Mental Health projects, in the thousands of families that she helped and most importantly through you all – Deborahs family the most important people in her life.
Sending you lots of positive thoughts and thinking of you all at the sad time.
Love Amy xxx
I am so very sad to read this news this morning. I knew Deborah from her contributions to the CPHVA conference. Sharing a stand with her and having her lovely photo of when she got the award on the wall beside us. She was always full of fun and it has been difficult to equate her with illness! I am so pleased she got a well deserved MBE and you will be so proud when you collect it on her behalf. I have followed her journey through the blogs and, like everyone else, have received inspiration and comfort from such a lot of things that she wrote. The world has been a better place for having Debs in it and she will be missed by such a lot of people.
I feel I know the family through the blogs and send you all my love and rejoice in knowing she is in a better place and no longer suffering. I am sure she will never leave you! xx
I never knew you, and now I never will.
The only reason I found this was because of the song Disco 2000 which my band performs onstage and I sing the vocals for.
I was curious who Deborah was.
Next time we perform this song in a couple of weeks I will, of course, make a blessing to Deborah Bone.
Rest in peace.
Both Deborah and I joined Hertfordshire CC many years ago at the same time and worked alongside each other other (across health and children’s social care) developing services for vulnerable young people, in particular those leaving care. She was such fun to work with, and I will never forget her radiant smile, wicked sense of humour and general wackiness. She was beyond dedicated and it was clear that she had found her true vocation in life…she lived and breathed every moment of it, every day. Her passion was infectious and she touched many peoples lives and I feel both proud and privileged to have shared part of her journey for a while. My love to you all. Maria Barnett xx
Although no words can help or comfort you all at this most sad and difficult time, I would like to give my sincerest condolences. I lost my dad on 29th July 14 to Multiple Myeloma and miss him each and every day. He fought with such courage and didn’t want to leave us. Goodnight Deborah, rest in piece xx❤xx
So sorry to hear Deborah has passed away. I had the privilege of working alongside her with some young people in Herts schools. She was a great and inspiring practitioner, enthusiastic and passionate about what she did. We will miss her! Sorry I can’t attend her funeral as I am currently living in Paris – but I will send thoughts and prayers on the day. Dr Kate Middleton.
Have just come across this and im very sorry for your loss, my own mum died of this cancer only 8 weeks ago such a cruel cancer xx
I was so sad to hear the news about Deborah. I’ve followed her blog from the beginning. I thought about Deborah lots over Christmas, concerned that she hadn’t updated her blog. I think I knew deep down what had happened, but didn’t want to believe it as even when the chips were down, Deborah always found a positive angle. I wanted to believe she would soon turn yet another corner and get back on track. Deborah made me believe that she would – a testament to her incredible positivity. She came across as an amazingly brave and mentally strong woman who had clearly achieved so much in her unfairly short life. I was in awe of her ability to live in the now – always pushing herself physically and no doubt, mentally, whether it be a holiday in her motor home or a shopping trip in London.
I too have myeloma. I am fortunate enough, so far, not to have endured the number of setbacks and frustrations that Deborah did. And yet, to my shame, I have not lived my new, myeloma life as fully as I could or should have. Deborah’s death has made me question my own, undoubtedly shortened life. She is an inspiration and example of making the most of what one has. In 2015, I shall do the same. Sleep tight Deborah.
My thoughts are with Colin, Jem and Pollyanna. I hope that all the wonderful memories you have of your amazing wife and mum will sustain you in the difficult coming days, weeks and months. Much love, Tracey xx
My sincere condolences to Deborah ‘ s family as I know from 1st hand what you have been through. I lost my father to myeloma 7 yrs ago and thought that bad enough.
I was so shocked to hear such sad news. I knew Deborah through working alongside her proving mental health services for the children and young people of Hertfordshire. Deborah was so full of life and passionate about everything she talked about and turned her hand to. She told me tales of your camper van (sorry I’ve forgotten it’s name!) she enthused about her home and talked lovingly and so proudly about her family. I am so sorry for you loss. Deborah was one unique person, who touched so many peoples lives
My thoughts are with you all
Janet Arris xxxs
I’m so sorry for your loss, I lost my mum in may who had multiple myeloma she fought it for 6 months but sadly died 3 days after she turned 53. I know what you are going through but be strong she is out of pain. Takecare x
I only heard of Deborah and her marvellous work today. I am so sorry for your loss. I will honour her memory by investigating and sharing her fascinating work and interventions in mental health. I’m sorry that I never got chance to learn about her when she was alive to thank. Barbara Ashton x
So sad. I never met Deborah, but I knew Colin from his time at Bedford College and I know that many people who worked there met her. There are no words that can make a loss like this better, but I am sure that all of Colin’s friends past and present would want to send their condolences to Colin, Polyanna and Jemima.
I am deeply saddened by this news. My thoughts are with Debs’ family at this terribly sad time – some ramblings from a friend of the past is no compensation for what you must be going through. But I only have happy fond memories of Deborah and wish you all well on your (difficult) journey. ️Xxx
I only found this blog tonight after coming across a news report on your mum being awarded an mbe, I can’t begin to imagine how you all feel right now but couldn’t pass without leaving my condolences to you all, just from what a read it’s easy to see what an amazing woman you all had in your life RIP ❤
I really don’t know how to start this only that I have never felt so moved before to have been able to read the blog of Deborah. I only saw today that she had died. I hadn’t known about her before and so wish I had. This morning I have spent reading Deborah’s entire blog. My heart goes out to all her family and friends. I feel truly priveleged to have had the opportunity to read this. Rest in peace Deborah xx
I’m very sorry for your loss. As you have asked people to share thoughts with you, I thought you would like to know that I started a Wikipedia article about Deborah.
When you feel ready (there’s no rush), please drop me a line (see contact page on my website) if there’s anything you wish to add or correct, or to discuss adding a photo.
Completely shocked to see this on the BBC News website yesterday so just wanted to send my condolences at this sad time to Colin and the family. I first met Colin and Deborah in 2007 when they were fostering my soon to be hound Willow as they were active dog fosterers for a UK lurcher rescue. They made me very welcome and we enjoyed several dog walks together. We’ve both since moved to California. Once again – so sorry for your loss.
I am so very sorry to read of your loss. Praying for a cure for MM one day, and thankful for brave warriors like Deborah, whose words helped many to cope.
Thinking of your family
My sister also has myeloma, It also was a shock diagnosis. I know how it dominates life.
Best wishes, sarah
I am so sorry to read this and my thoughts are with Deborahs family. I only just read of this in the newspaper. My mother died when I was 21 of the same disease with a similar course. The doctors were gobsmacked at how quickly it moved- towards the end so fast that any scans or lab results were wrong by the time the doctors could interpret them. I send my love as a stranger to you all.
Thank you for being such an incredible family. She was an inspirational person for all those she came in contact with, even if it was only by the blog or emails. Our sincerest sympathy and thoughts and prayers go out to you.
RIP Deborah
Kathy and Denise
So sorry for your loss, as a fellow myeloma patient I had been following Deb’s blog about the chemo and transplant activities, I so wish the outcome could have been different. Prayers being sent your way, Paul.
My thoughts are with you all at this present time. I’m so pleased that I had the chance to know Deborah and call her my friend. She was an inspiration and just such a lovely and caring person. I will miss her alot and think of her often. With love to you all. Michelle xxxx
I met Deborah a couple of times because of our work with children. She was a truly inspirational woman and must have touched so many people in her all too short a life. One of the happy memories I have of her was her relaying to me how she loved online competitions and the sparkle in her eyes when telling me about her winnings!
I find it hard to convey my sympathy to her family as I can not imagine their grief so I am sending this poem that helped me when I lost a loved member of my family. I hope it helps.
She is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
I found this blog after listening to Disco 2000 and vaguely remembering a newspaper article about the MBE award, which I found again today.
I am so touched by this story that you have so kindly shared and I’m sure has been inspirational to many people.
I’m slightly embarrassed to say that I found myself in tears whilst reading posts in the car wash today. Deborah must have been an amazing person who must be dreadfully missed by family, friends and patients.
My thoughts are genuinely with you.
S.