Deb was born April 8, 1954, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and grew up both there and in Sarnia, Ontario. Deb’s career was rich with wonderful experiences starting with her nursing education in Stratford Ontario. She then went on to study midwifery in Edinburgh, Scotland hoping to come back to Canada to work toward getting the profession of midwifery recognized here in Canada and BC. Deb worked in both Vancouver and finally in Victoria.

Deb was a highly respected Registered Nurse and then Registered Midwife. She was the co-founder of the Midwifery Demonstration Project at BC Women’s Hospital, culminating in the regulation of Midwifery in BC and a Clinical Assistant Professor with the UBC Faculty of Medicine. Deb has mentored nurses and midwives into Midwifery with profound wisdom, respect, and humour.

Deb was appointed to the first Board of the College of Midwives of BC in 1995 and later became Co-Head of the Midwifery Department in Victoria and the Vancouver Island Health Authority after she moved permanently to Victoria in 1998.

With her background as an ICU nurse and then a co-founder in the development of the Midwifery Pilot Project at BC Women’s in 1983, she was a very skilled midwife to work with. She was kind and caring to her clients and always interested in their lives and families.

Deb was also a key driver in development of the first Bachelor of Midwifery Education at UBC under the Faculty of Medicine/Family Practice. Midwifery was Deb’s passion and she worked hard through her career to make midwifery education and regulated midwifery a respected profession in BC. She was devoted to the unique Model of Midwifery that was developed by the original Board of the CMBC.

In honour of Deb’s dedication to midwifery, Deb’s friends and family, have created the Deborah Little Memorial Fund. Your gift will pay tribute to Deb’s life and career by supporting student awards in Midwifery at UBC. Final decisions on the award description and student eligibility will be made in consultation with the family. If you would like to make a monthly gift, please complete the following donation form.