Deborah Smith (28 Apr 1951 - 7 Feb 2024)

Deborah Smith (née McDavid) 1951-2024

Deborah was born and raised for the first part of her life in Streatham, South London. Daughter of Donald and Doreen McDavid. She was a keen student and despite her loathing of Maths and Chemistry, was the first woman in her family to get a university degree. She Studied Theology at Bristol University, where she met her husband Graham Smith (married 1975), an art student in the year below. She spent the extra year waiting for Graham to graduate by completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Home Economics at the University of London. She was a keen cook and worked for several years for British Gas as a cookery demonstrator, holding bowls of stiff whisked egg whites over many a corporate head. Later, in 1984, Debbie and Graham moved to Calne with their two young children to start a life-long love of the town and surrounding countryside. Debbie was proud to have been elected twice as Mayor of Calne, once in 1996-1997 and again in 1999-2000. In her tenure as local Liberal Democrat Councillor and Mayor she was instrumental in making positive changes to the town, focussing on younger people and community. She forged the way for the Skate Park, still enjoyed today, was heavily involved in the re-development of Calne Town Centre and new Library, and both the Calne Bypass, and Sustrans Cycle Path. She was also a strong environmentalist and Trustee of the CARP project (Canal and River Park), enabling them to gain lottery funding to preserve, protect, develop and improve the environment of the River Marden Valley and surrounding area and to provide amenities and facilities for recreation and leisure activities for the benefit of the public. Deborah had many other employments during her career, she was a Social Worker, an Estate Agent, a teacher of Information Technology to both children and adults, and an accomplished Events Organiser. Debbie was also a devoted Christian, regularly attending services, flower arranging and singing in the choir at St Mary’s Church. When Graham passed away during the Covid lockdown in April 2020, Debbie’s health and happiness went into decline and she faced many challenges during her last few years. It is with some joy that although taken too soon, she is at peace and reunited with her beloved husband. She will be remembered as a sharp-witted, formidable, independent and fun-loving person. Deborah is survived by her children Cameron and Polly, and her brothers Nigel and Warren.