Pembroke

Debbie Estabrooks

Let’s welcome our neighbour, Debbie Estabrooks.

Hi, Debbie! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Debbie Estabrooks, and I was born and raised right here in the Ottawa Valley — Pembroke, to be exact. My parents were originally from “down East” and moved here when my dad accepted a position at the long-gone Canadian Splint and Lumber (for anyone unsure about where that once stood, it’s where Miramichi Lodge is now). Looking back, I think their decision to move so far from home and their families and all they knew was incredibly brave. Pembroke became the place they chose to build a life — first with a daughter who sadly passed in infancy shortly after their move, then my brother, and 11 years later —SURPRISE—me!

Because of the difference in our ages, my brother moved away for university when I was only seven. Despite having opportunities to move myself over the years, I never felt the pull to leave. Even today, I enjoy the quieter pace Pembroke offers. I grew up in simpler times: limited technology, lots of imagination, and making your own fun—usually by pestering my older brother. My childhood was filled with time outdoors, family, friends, and a life that, looking back, felt wonderfully unhurried.

As a young adult, I attended the former location of Algonquin College and graduated to become a legal secretary at a local law firm — a job I truly loved and held for nearly a decade. During that time, I also taught a night course at Algonquin College and spent my free hours reading, cooking, baking, and being crafty.

I’m married to someone I’ve known for almost my entire life — my “kindergarten sweetheart.” We met at age five, drifted through our school years, attended different high schools, and reconnected in our early twenties. We never looked back. This summer marks our 35th wedding anniversary. We have two amazing young-adult children, a son and a daughter, who both live locally with their partners. And this summer, we’ll be welcoming our first grandchild— a milestone that feels both exciting and profound.

After our youngest was born, I chose to be a stay-at-home mom with every intention of returning to the workforce once she began school. Wanting to both work from home and give our children social interaction, I started “Whistlestop Home Daycare.” I wanted to better understand children — how they learn, think, and grow — so I pursued an Early Childhood Education diploma through distance learning. That path led to a 20-year journey running my own daycare. I wouldn’t change a thing. I met incredible families and children, many of whom I still keep in touch with today, and I had the privilege of being present for my own children’s early years — something I’ll never regret.

Like many, COVID became a turning point. Running a home daycare during that time was challenging. As someone who already worked from home, the shift to always being home brought a new kind of pressure and a lot of soul-searching. The reasons I had started my daycare — primarily to be home with my children — were long gone as both my kids were grown and independent. I had gone well over my timeline to return to work outside the home when my youngest started school. I began to feel the pull to return to work outside the home, and I wanted my house back for us.

2021 was a big year. Our daughter got married, and that same week, I learned I had been successful in a job application. In a full-circle moment, I returned to Algonquin College as an employee. That was five years ago this summer, and it truly feels like the right job at the right time. I enjoy the people, the environment, and the work.

I’ve always tried to give back to my community in my own ways. Crafting has introduced me to many wonderful people — including Kim, who invited me to help with “Howdy Neighbour.” She and I are nearly birthday twins, just one day apart! For the past 13 years, fueled by my love of scrapbooking and card-making, I’ve organized fundraisers supporting local charities and initiatives. For the past five years — since COVID — those efforts have supported the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre. Under the name of our scrapbooking group “Memories Matter,” we have raised over $50,000.00 for local charities. Our unofficial motto says it best: “Never underestimate the power of a scrapbooker.”

Upon reflecting on all this, I wouldn’t call myself a “mover and shaker.” I see myself as steady, grounded, and true to who I am — making decisions that felt right for each stage of my life. I’ve had just three careers in my adult life and committed wholeheartedly to each. I’ve lived in the same community, kept friendships that span back to elementary school, stepped away from the workforce to focus on family, and later found the courage to re-enter and build a fulfilling new chapter. All the while, I’ve tried to give back in ways that matter to me and, I hope, have made a difference to others.

Looking back, my life has been shaped not by grand gestures or dramatic leaps, but by meaningful choices, deep roots, and quiet resilience. I’ve built a life centred on family, community, creativity, and connection. As I look forward — to becoming a grandparent, to continuing my work, and to whatever comes next — I feel grateful for the path I’ve taken and excited for the chapters still to be written.

What is your least favourite household chore?

Laundry! It’s never done. You must gather it, wash it, dry it, fold it, and put it away. By the time that’s done, it seems like you need to start all over again!

Do you have any phobias? What are they?

Kim will know this one! Snakes! She’s tried to convince me that they are helpful little critters, and while the mind gets it, the body runs in the other direction! Not overly fond of spiders either, but you can usually get the upper hand on them. Snakes are just all squiggly and move in all different directions. Eek!

What 3 adjectives do you think your family and friends would use to describe you?

Dependable

Conscientious

Nurturing

If you had to become a breakfast cereal, which one would you choose and why?

Rice Krispies — so I could wake up in the morning and go snap, crackle, pop! Full of energy! (Despite what people think, I AM NOT a morning person!)

What was the worst style choice you ever made?

A perm! Never again!

Would you rather be a bird or a fish?

A bird! I think it would be amazing to fly through the sky and get a “bird’s eye view” of the world!

You’ve just won the lottery. What will you do with your windfall?

It depends on how much, but I would definitely help my kids out. They are working hard to get ahead in life, buy homes, etc., but as we all know, everything is pretty costly. I would love to help them out.

What do you miss the most about being a kid?

Simple times, not as much worry about the state of world affairs or the cost of things.

Thanks for sharing with us, neighbour Debbie.

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Next week, we welcome Mary-Ann Vanner.