THE COVID MONTHS | DEBRA JOHNSON

Debra Johnson

Debra Johnson, a Graduate of Northern Guild, has unexpectedly died of a non Covid related condition. Her friend Kerry Rundle shares her experience of knowing Debra and her deep sadness at losing a much loved friend.

About Debra

Debra started her training at Northern Guild in 2013 and qualified in 2015 as a Counsellor, becoming a registered member of the BACP. She had a background in the Health Care sector as a Registered General Nurse and Social Worker. She was as a mental health mentor and couple’s therapist.   At Grace House, Debra provided counselling for parents whose children were disabled. Debra also created a wellbeing project at Hope and Hospitality. She worked in an occupational health setting at a local council providing counselling. Debra maintained a private practice, adopting an holistic, caring and compassionate approach. She was born in South Shields and worked in the area, as well as in Sunderland and Washington. She  believed passionately in the healing power of animals and she offered  ‘Walk and Talk therapy with her beloved Golden Retriever, Angel.

To you Debra, I say …  you were such a beautiful person inside and out. I remember the first day I met you, it was our first training night together at Northern Guild and you came over and introduced yourself. You were such a big character in our group, such an important part of all our journey. You touched the hearts of those you met with your kindness, your caring nature, and the compassion you showed to everyone around you. You were respected and appreciated for your strength of character and the way you used your determination to help others.

You loved animals, you were always so passionate about being the voice they didn’t have and I admired you for that. You had a social conscience and raised money for many charities, especially the homeless, often volunteering at the soup kitchen. You were opinionated, you stood up for what you thought was right and I loved that about you. You were kind, considerate, resilient and strong… I could use many words to describe you.  Those who really got the chance to know you, will know just how special you were.

Debra was a loving and devoted mother and wife. She touched the lives and hearts of  all those who were fortunate enough to know her. She will live on in our memories and through the things we do that have been influenced by knowing and loving her.

Angel