Longtime St. John's city councillor, realtor Debbie Hanlon dies after battle with cancer

Longtime St. John's city councillor and real estate agent Debbie Hanlon has died.

"Debbie was a force of nature — her energy, passion, and larger-than-life spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her," said the city council in a statement on Wednesday morning.

Hanlon's family said in a statement posted to Facebook that Hanlon died Tuesday at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

"She loved her city and being your city counsellor. She loved being your realtor. She loved her community. She loved her friends and family. She loved children and especially loved being a grandma. Debbie truly loved her life," said the post.

Hanlon announced her cancer diagnosis in February of 2024.

Mayor Danny Breen spoke with reporters Wednesday morning. He said city staff and council are devastated, that Hanlon was a friend to everyone and that she lit up every room she walked in to. 

"She was fierce, she was a fighter. And we saw her in this fight and it was truly amazing," said Breen. "She's a fantastic individual and we're going to miss her a lot."

Breen said Hanlon was a champion for the city, promoting it as a tourism destination and a big supporter of local businesses. He also spoke about her support and deep connection with seniors in the community. 

"Every time Debbie was around it was a brighter place," said Breen.

Breen also spoke to Hanlon's entrepreneurship and hard work she put into her real estate career. 

"She had the highs and the lows of business and she experienced them all. But she was never afraid of the challenge and she took those challenges on head on," he said.

In a Facebook post, Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary said she's heartbroken over Hanlon's death.

"Debbie was colourful, fun-loving and lit up every room she entered. Seniors loved her and she knew how to take the sting out of the tough stuff in a political world by spreading optimism and joy," wrote O'Leary.

O'Leary later told CBC News about Hanlon's advocacy for women in municipal politics, noting that she was an early member of Equal Voice, an organization that encourages women to participate in politics. 

"She also had the knack of not letting the negative stuff stick to her," said O'Leary. "I think she was an incredible example of tenacity for many people in community."

Inspiration

Hanlon was first elected to the city council in 2008, representing Ward 4. After a hiatus from municipal politics, she was also re-elected in 2017 as a councillor-at-large, and again in 2021.

"Throughout her decade-long service, she was a tireless advocate for her constituents, championing local issues with determination and heart. Additionally, staff were very fond of Debbie and admired her dedication to the community," said the council's statement.

To mark her death, flags in front of city hall will be flown at half-mast and other city buildings until sunset of the day of the funeral service.

Fellow councillor Maggie Burton described Hanlon as a loving mother, friend and colleague.

"She held the people she loved very close to her, and she would do anything for them. She would stretch the boundaries of what was possible in order to make the people she loved happy," Burton wrote on social media.

"In other words, she would go to the end of the earth for you if she loved you. And not only that, she was very generous with her love; it was abundant. That is the first reason I loved her."

WATCH | Debbie Hanlon became a real estate success after losing it all: 

From a failed business to real estate reinvention: How Debbie Hanlon turned it around in the 90s

16 hours ago

Duration 1:48

Twenty-nine years ago, Debbie Hanlon was on a comeback. The single mother had lost her house, her car and her St. John’s business three years prior. But as she told reporter David Zelcer, a venture into the risky real estate market had finally paid off.

Burton later told reporters about Hanlon's authenticity, calling her a legend and inspiring. 

"The woman was tough as nails. There was nothing that Debbie couldn't handle," said Burton.

More than a year ago, Hanlon told CBC News she was committed to fighting the disease.

"I am beating this cancer. Debbie Hanlon's life is not going to end in this hospital with this cancer. Not happening. I'm not letting it happen, I can guarantee you that. I am fighting this every step of the way."

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