Debbie Louise Hawley-Kanastab

Debbie Hawley-Kanastab, age 62, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away on May 8, 2025.

Born on April 20, 1963, in Milwaukee to Clemens and Lucille. She loved her family including her brother, Clem, sister, Sharon, and her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Debbie had a passion for fashion and studied fashion at MATC. She married the love of her life, Ronald Kanastab, on August 24, 1985, and together they shared a long marriage filled with laughter, love, and pets, including their dog, Chance. They had a son, Alexander, and loved going on adventures together, like making memories on cruises, cheering at baseball and soccer games, or exploring places like NASA.

Debbie found joy in her work at Barnes & Noble and PetSmart, where she deeply valued the friendships she formed with her colleagues.

Above all, Debbie lived to bring happiness to others whether that be through picnics, parties, or caring for animals. Her favorite thing in the world was giving gifts to other people—so much so that she kept an entire room in her home stocked with gifts that were always ready. Unsurprisingly, Christmas was her favourite time of year and she made every year feel magical.

Debbie’s life was one filled with kindness, thoughtfulness, and love. Her family will honor her memory with a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wisconsin Humane Society, a cause close to Debbie’s heart.