Meet Deb Wilson
“Deb is a champion of all things community, from sports to business.”
Born and raised in Kemptville, Deb cares deeply about the community she is proud to call home. With family roots spanning three generations, her connection to North Grenville runs deep, and her passion for giving back is reflected in her values and the way she lives her life.
Many know Deb as a proud grandma who is always ready to lend a helping hand. Strong-willed, approachable, and genuinely interested in others, she makes a point of getting to know people, listening to their perspectives, and getting involved in the community she loves.
With a career in the fashion and manufacturing industries, experience in small business, and a longstanding connection to local sports through skating and coaching, Deb understands the important role that businesses, recreation, and community involvement play in making North Grenville a great place to live.
For Deb, community is about people, connection, and working together. She is proud of Kemptville’s heritage and the people who make North Grenville special, and she remains committed to helping build a welcoming, vibrant, and sustainable community for future generations.
Deb Wilson:
A Life Woven into the Fabric of North Grenville
For Deb Wilson, Kemptville and North Grenville have been home for 67 years. This is the community that has helped shape who she is, and to which she has devoted a lifetime of family, work, volunteerism, and service.
“Over the years, I have learned many stories about the history of Kemptville and the people who have called this community home.”
Deb’s roots in North Grenville stretch back generations. As a third-generation co-owner of Grahame’s Bakery, she has been part of a family business that is deeply woven into the heritage of the community. Established in 1885, the bakery continues to serve generations of residents with traditional baked goods, many prepared using its historic wood-fired brick oven. For Deb, the bakery represents more than a business; it is a living connection to the people, traditions, and history of North Grenville.
Family, Career, and Community
Deb attended Kemptville Public School and North Grenville District High School before pursuing her passion for fashion design at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, where she studied Visual and Creative Arts, specializing in Fashion Design. It was there that she met her husband, Mike.
Together, they moved to Winnipeg, where Deb began her career with Standard Knitting. Their daughter, Cassandra LaVonne, was born while they were living there. In 1988, Deb and Mike returned to Kemptville, where Deb established her own custom design business. She created exclusive designs for wedding gowns, formal wear, special occasions, and knitwear. Their son, Dane Michael, was born in 1990.
As her children grew, Deb became increasingly involved in the community. She participated in school committees and volunteered with the Kemptville Skating Club and Kemptville District Minor Hockey. Her involvement in local sports developed into a long-standing commitment to coaching and supporting young athletes.
In 1994, Deb became the first coach of the Kemptville Storm Girls Hockey team. Today, the program has grown to include almost 400 girls competing at various levels. Deb has also been a CanPower skating coach in Kemptville and the surrounding area for more than 35 years.
Her commitment to family and community continues today.
“Our children were raised here, and now our grandchildren come from Iqaluit to spend most of their summers with Grandma and Grandpa.”
A Community That Comes Together
Over the years, Deb has experienced North Grenville from many perspectives: as a resident, parent, business owner, employer, sports coach, event coordinator, community advocate, and volunteer. These experiences have given her a deep appreciation for the people, history, and character of the community.
Deb remembers Kemptville and the surrounding townships before their amalgamation into the Municipality of North Grenville in 1998. One of her most vivid memories is the Ice Storm of 1998, which brought residents together in extraordinary ways.
During days of power outages and difficult conditions, neighbours helped neighbours, and the community rallied to support those in need. Deb’s parents, Rose and Ken, received community awards in recognition of their efforts during the storm. Using Grahame’s Bakery’s wood-fired brick oven, they helped prepare and provide hundreds of meals to people in the area while the power was out.
That experience remains a powerful reminder of what makes North Grenville special: its people, their generosity, and their willingness to come together when it matters most.
Although Deb had always been connected to the family business, she began working at the bakery full-time in 1997. Following the sudden passing of her father, Ken, in 2005, Deb and her brother, Rick, became partners in carrying on the day-to-day operations.
Rick is now the sole owner of the bakery, while Deb continues to help with bookkeeping and other tasks when needed. And, of course, there is always time for conversation—especially about local issues and politics. For Deb, listening to people and understanding their concerns have always been an important part of community life.
Experience and Commitment at Council
Today, Deb serves as a sitting councilor for the Municipality of North Grenville. She brings to the role the same dedication and sense of responsibility that have guided her throughout her life. She takes her responsibilities seriously and values the opportunity to represent the residents of the community she has called home for so long.
Her priorities for Council focus on:
- Safety and Emergency Preparedness: Keeping residents safe and ensuring the community is prepared for emergencies and unexpected challenges.
- Responsible Planning and Infrastructure: Planning carefully for future growth and ensuring roads, infrastructure, environmental protection, and community needs are considered before decisions are made.
- Economic Development: Supporting local businesses and encouraging sustainable economic opportunities that benefit North Grenville.
- Community Engagement and Representation: Listening to residents, understanding their concerns, and ensuring their voices are considered in municipal decisions.
- Fiscal Accountability and Foresight: Making responsible financial decisions while considering their long-term impact on taxpayers and future generations.
Honouring Our Heritage, Planning for Our Future
For Deb, North Grenville is more than a place to live. It is where she grew up, raised her family, built a career, volunteered, coached young athletes, and helped carry forward a family business that has served the community for generations.
Her story is woven into the fabric of North Grenville, just as the community has helped shape the person she is today.
As the municipality continues to evolve, Deb remains committed to listening to residents, supporting local businesses, planning responsibly, and making decisions with the community’s long-term well-being in mind.
“My history in Kemptville and North Grenville is an important part of who I am. My continued love and commitment to North Grenville and its residents, and my willingness to work toward the best possible future for our community, are why I am asking for your vote on October 26, 2026.”
Deb Wilson
