If your drooling dog doesn’t drool on a visitor, you shouldn’t either. If you met Debborah Ann (Fearnow) Winchester, then you knew this was a rule she lived by. Debbie became a guardian angel at the Rainbow bridge early Saturday morning, on February 22, 2014. Her spirit is carried on by her husband, daughter, sister, mother, grandchildren, dogs, and multitudes of friends and family from all walks of life. In her short 59-year journey, there were lessons she left with all of us, most notably:
• A house should always have dogs. Find the ones that need homes the most and give them a forever home. They will enrich your life in ways you never knew possible.
• Always cook way more food than you need to, and attempt to feed everyone you might think is hungry. Especially on Thanksgiving. Everyone should have their feet under a table at Thanksgiving, and send them home with leftovers.
• You can never have enough jewelry. Wear it often, and keep it in a butter bowl in the kitchen cabinets when you’re not.
• Drive the car you like, for life is too short not to. But always wear your seatbelt or she’d have to visit you later.
• Send cards for everything. People appreciate hand written notes and cards that express your sentiments. And everyone loves mail.
• Have fun on Friday night. Gather with friends, but get up early on Saturday morning to get your stuff done. Don’t miss the shopping deals or let the previous night’s capers get in your way of the weekend.
• Read as often as time allows. Keep the books you love and read them over and over. You are never lonely when you can live through a book.
• Communicate with everyone. Don’t be scared to make a new friend in the grocery store or the veterinarian’s office.
• Give the same respect to everyone, no matter how they are dressed or what they drive. You never know who is standing next to you in a sweatshirt and jeans.
• “Keep an eye on the sky.” Be prepared for any weather, and when a thunderstorm hits, put on your tennis shoes.
All in all, Debbie lived an illustrious life full of smiles and laughter. She fought for those that didn’t have a voice, whether they were friends, colleagues, or senior hounds that needed homes. Her mantra was simple, “Don’t Stop Believin’.
Debbie is survived by her husband Wayne, daughter Amanda Guilmain (Andy), mother Elaine Fearnow, sister Sharon Longman (Michael), two grandchildren, niece and nephew, four dogs, many friends that became family, and countless loved ones brought together by her passion, basset hound rescue.
Please join the family for a memorial celebration of Debbie’s life, held at Family Choice Funeral Home in Virginia Beach on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 6pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.
Please leave a condolence for the family or share a favorite memory of Debbie via the Condolences and Tributes tab.
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I hope the Winchester Family can be comforted by the number of people and hounds that were touched by Debbie. She was a great lady and will be missed by so many.I am so sorry for your grief and pray for your comfort.
I knew Debbie only through the Drool and adored her, her stories and her love of life. She was such a caring lady and you could always guarantee either a rip-roaring laugh from her mails, or some true words of wisdom. Her heart was pure gold.
Debbie made this world a better place and we can do right by her if we live to her example. We must never stop believing.
Debbie was loved by many. Please be comforted by Gods promise found at 1 THESSALONIANS 4:14-For if we have faith that Jesus died and rose again, so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus.
My prayers and condolences to her friends and family. I did not know Deborah, only through BRBR posts, but what a wonderful life she led and what a great legacy she leaves. God must have needed a very special angel in heaven!
My prayers and condolences to her friends and family. I did not know Deborah, only through BRBR posts, but what a wonderful life she led and what a great legacy she leaves. God must have needed a very special angel in heaven!
My deepest sympathy to Debbie’s family. Debbie touched SO Many lives both 2 and 4 legged. Her enthusiasm was absolutely contagious . Our lives are all a little richer for having known her .
Amanda, we are so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our hearts. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. xoxo All our Love, The Lanctot’s
My sincere condolences to Debbie’s family. There was never a one such as her; Debbie graced us just by being.
We are very saddened with this great loss in your lives and in ours. Debbie will always have a place in my heart. Sending much love and hugs to all her family and hounds.
My sincere sympathy to Debbie’s family. Heaven has gained a wonderful angel. Debbie will always hold a special place in my heart. Her posts on the Daily Drool would turn my bad days into good ones. Thank you Debbie! I’ll never stop believing.
Debbie you were a true friend and co-worker. I enjoyed our many stories. Wayne you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
she was a joy to work with and will be missed. My continued prayers for the family. God bless. She is in a better place.
Debbie, you will truly be missed. Whenever you called into the office,i could hear the smile in your voice. My thought and prayer are with the family
What a wonderful person Debbie was. She will be missed very much. She and her words of wisdom will not be forgotten.
Always a smile in her voice and a pleasure to work with. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
From Coast to Coast and back again the memories and stories of Debbie are forever shining as her life path changes. All of our love is centered on her family and loved ones. May the smiles outnumber the tears. Droolers across the land have candles burning bright in her honor, Hounds on both sides of the great bridge howling at the transition. We shall Never Stop Believing.
My deepest sympathies to Debbie’s family. I will never forget Debbie and the wonderful stories she posted on the Daily Drool. I always looked forward to reading them.I cant tell you how often I’d be having a terrible day and would read one of her wonderful stories and found myself laughing out loud. She has touched so many lives and hearts. I am so sorry for your loss. “Don’t stop believin”
Debbie, because of you, I will always believe. You were a hero to many, a voice for the voiceless, and a role model to all who knew you. My condolences to the family, and to all the friends worldwide. We all loved you.
Our Love and Prayers are sent to you and your family at this Time of loss.
I never met you personally, but I loved you just the same. Your dedication to the senior basset hounds touched my heart the same way your postings from the bridge on the Daily Drool did. I could tell from what you wrote that you were full of love for people and pets and were a very special person indeed. Your absence from this world leaves a huge void, and heaven is brighter because you’re there now.
Such a beautiful soul not only to people but to all walks of life – especially animals – You are now free from pain my dear Debbie and I am sure you are with all those beautiful animals you helped at Rainbow Bridge….To Wayne and family….just like the animals she helped you will never be without her for she too has left footprints on your heart….God Bless you all and may you find comfort knowing she is always with you.
Debbie had great presence in life. She touched the hearts of many, many people and bassets on the drool and rescues. Her earthly presence is no longer here but the force of her spirit lives on! Don’t stop believing!
I had the honor of meeting Debbie and it was such a pleasure. She will be dearly missed. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. RIP Debbie!
For many years on the Daily Drool I enjoyed Debbie’s stories and comments. She never failed to bring a smile or an outright giggle. I had the privilege of meeting her in Michigan in 2011 and enjoying her dancing as a hound dog to raise money for the homeless bassets. She lit up the room with laughter and good feelings. I will always remember her, her smile, her good humor and her huge heart full of love for bassets. God bless you and give you comfort with these memories Wayne and Amanda. The world has lost a truly beautiful soul. And many many people have lost a good friend.
RIP Debbie and thank you for giving us so many wonderful stories and memories over the years on the Daily Drool, although I never met you in person you touched my life with your stories and kindness. May your friends and family remember you and your life with the joy you brought to so many of us and the compassion you shared with so many. You will be truly missed. Fly Free without pain until we meet again. Karen with the Out of Africa Bassets in Wilderness, South Africa.
Deb and I met a few times at Mish-gun; she had a delightful laugh and any friend of bassets is always a friend of mine. She will be very missed.
I never met Debbie but enjoyed her wonderful stories about her crew. The basset world on earth has lost an angel, but she is with all the hounds in heaven watching over all of us. My prayers are with her family.
Beloved lady who cared so much for the homeless elderly bassets. You will be so missed. Lub & Huggers from Auntie MAT and da Hound Clowns.
Debbie was well loved by many people. Her work with dogs and generosity to rescues will always be a tribute to her. I especially thank Debbie for sharing Elder Clara’s wisdom.
To Amanda, Wayne and the hounds, I am truly sorry for the loss of this amazing person you loved so dearly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I did not know Deb but a dog person is a wonderful person!! I am so sure that there are many hounds to play with at the bridge!! We lost our Blossom on the 19th and she will be there for petting!!(LOL) Sounds like Deb never met a person she did not like!! Sorry for your loss!! God Bless!!…Dave
Debbie was a shining example of what one person can do to make a real difference in other’s lives. She will live on in our memories and our hearts.Thanks for all of your good work in the basset hound rescue world. May God comfort her family.
I miss those afternoon phone calls. It never failed-4pm, and those hounds were howling up a storm. That was the funniest thing to hear. Debbie was a good friend, and I learned a lot from her. I wont forget you Debbie. I know she is with our Savior, with a new body in Christ. Until we meet again my friend.
I knew Debbie from the Daily Drool. Her stories of her crew and where and how they came into her life amazed me. She was brave welcoming each one into her home always knowing things would work out for the best. I will never understand why with so many nasty useless people God takes the good ones from us too soon. I hope Debbie’s family can take comfort in knowing how many people far and wide loved her.
I knew Debbie from the Daily Drool. Her stories of her crew and where and how they came into her life amazed me. She was brave welcoming each one into her home always knowing things would work out for the best. I will never understand why with so many nasty useless people God takes the good ones from us too soon. I hope Debbie’s family can take comfort in knowing how many people far and wide loved her.
It is too painful to know that you have left us. Our waddle will not be the same without you and the items you made to help save dogs. I am so proud to call you my friend!
Debbie, I will miss your funny, thoughtful and joyous notes on the Drool. I know you’re there, at Rainbow Bridge, in a joyous reunion that only dog lovers know. We humans will miss you so much!
I only knew Debbie through the Daily Drool, but always looked forward to her stories, advice and the wonderful tributes that she wrote when someone had lost a beloved hound. I have missed her stories and have prayed fervently for her to beat the dreaded disease. I am so sad at her loss and send you my heartfelt condolences.
A very special angel is spreading her new wings at the Bridge. Her love for the senior hounds was always paramount in her postings on the Daily Drool. I laughed and cried when reading the posts from Elder Clara whenever she met a new furbabie at the Bridge gates. She was and is a very special lady and will be missed by all of her friends. Fly free our special angel.
RIP Debbie, you will be missed be so many people.. Your legacy will live on. Amanda and Wayne.. thoughts and prayers go out to you both…. I will never stop believing thanks to you Debbie.
I never had the privilege of meeting Debbie in person but felt I “knew” her from her words of wisdom, comfort and the “Liddle stories” of Elwood, Jake, Sister Daisy, Ol’ Bob, Bessie and especially Elder Clara over the years. I KNOW Debbie’s crown is filled with stars for all that she has done over the years to help the hounds, especially seniors. Her voice will be missed but her sweet, funny memories will live on forever. Each of her Drool friends will “Keep on Believin'” My sincerest condolences to you all…and special belly rubs to the hounds who are missing her.
Debbie, I am so glad you walked into my life. Your support helped BRBR grow and reminded me of why I stayed involved with rescue. Clara and Daisy are going to be ecstatic to see you again.
Heaven received a new angel. Our thoughts & prayers are with you Wayne & Amanda. I will always remember the day she went with me to get my Maine Coone Kitty in Knotts Island and she held her all the way home. She will be missed
You will be missed so much by all of us in the Basset Rescue Community. I felt priveledged to have met you in person and be able to tell you how much I admired you. I am sure Elder Clara, Sister Daisy, Brother Bob and the rest were overjoyed to see you!
Debbie was a friend and an inspiration to us all. She will be deeply missed but her spirit lives on as we strive to keep her passion alive in saving basset hounds, especially the seniors. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Wayne, Amanda and the hounds. Know that you have a second family in the Daily Drool and no matter what happens, Don’t stop believin!
And so, I am glad,
Not that she is gone,
But that the earth she lived and walked upon
Was my earth too
and that her I’d known
and love I’d shown.
Tears? Oh, yes,
but then a smile
That I had walked with her a little while.
-Anonymous
Some people leave the world a better place for having lived, and that would be Debbie. She made life better for people all over the world with her stories and books and encouragement. She will not be forgotten.
I did not know your beloved wife, partner, mom, daughter, sister–all the many, many ways she lived so well in the world. I only knew of her through the work she did for Bassets, and through the Daily Drool. She is so beloved on the Drool, and her life is a wonderful inspiration to the rest of us. I am so very, very sorry you have to endure this loss; know that you are in my prayers, and that Debbie had a huge influence on those around her. She made the world a much, much better place. We shall look for her bright shining spirit–we won’t be able to miss her!–when our tour of duty is over and we, too, cross the Rainbow Bridge.
The first thought that came to mind when I heard of Debbie’s passing was how happy she would be to see her Elder Clara again. Debbie did a world of good during her time here on earth. So many hound and human lives were changed for the better because they knew her. Debbie will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family and friends.
Please accept my deepest sympathies for your enormous loss. We in the cyber world profoundly miss the love, humor, and wisdom that Debbie freely shared. She touched so many lives around the country and around the world. We are all blessed to have known her.
I only knew of Debbie thru the Daily Drool, but could tell by her posts she was an angel for all living things. When I lost my basset, Kipper, to a car accident; it was her post from the Railbow Bridge that meant the most. The Bridge has the angel now and she is with her fur babies that she lost along with all of ours. Her posts will be missed; the basset world has lost a special spirit, but her pain has ended and she will continue her work at the Bridge. Blessings to her family and friends. You are all in my prayers.
Debbie had an incredible gift for friendship, and that’s so obvious in these condolences. So many of us, all over the world, bereft at her passing. And so many of us who felt like real friends, even though we never had the great pleasure of meeting her. Her life truly was a blessing.
I never meet Debbie, I only knew her from the Daily Drool. Her writing and love for her hounds were something I looked forward to reading. She had a way with words, and I know she brought so much comfort to those who lost their babies and she would write about them arriving at the bridge. She was one in a million, and the Drool Family will never be the same. My peace is knowing she is reunited with her babies and they are all at the buffet enjoying the great beyond. God speed Debbie, the Bridge has a special Angel. To the Winchester Family may you find strength and comfort in God’s word. Bless you all.
I only knew Debbie through the Daily Drool, but she was a source of wisdom, inspiration and a lot of laughter. We will miss her
I am one of the countless who never knew Debbie in person, but who felt connected to her through a mutual love of that quirkiest of all breeds, the basset hound. I was truly saddened to hear of her death and will always feel her spirit when reading archived posts of the Daily Drool or her Elder Clara cookbook. Rarely does ATB seem so appropriate for a human because all of us on the drool know she is with her beloved hounds at the bridge! Much sympathy to her family at this difficult time. Georgia and Eugene
I am another person who knew Debbie only through her postings on The Daily Drool. I loved to read her messages — sensible many times, and often so funny thatI laughed out loud.
I looked back through some of her postings when I first read of her death. Here’s one sentence that struck me from October 17, 2012: “I am sure Elder Clara and Sister Daisy are back together, sharing old times, I just wish they were here next to me—”
I wish Debbie were still here on earth, but maybe she’s with her beloved bassets now. I hope so.
My heart goes out to her immediate family and close friends, and to all those who knew her through the web. She will certainly be missed.
Like so many others I only knew Debbie from the Daily Drool. When a Drooler’s hound journeyed to the Bridge, Debbie’s posts via Elder Clara made me smile through my tears, and I wrote to tell her how much I loved them. She enriched the lives of people who never met her. Heartfelt condolences to Wayne and Amanda, and truckloads of warm, heart healing Basset drool being sent to you both. I believe with all my heart that Debbie is with her beloved Elder Clara and Daisy now. She always said “don’t stop believin'”, and I never will:)
Everett & family – our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of loss.
Being a female in the collision industry can be tough but Debbie handled herself in a way that I admired. She will be missed greatly and I look forward to the day when we meet again to tell her that. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family…. The Daily Drool ones included