Through estate planning, this former Hart House fitness trainer is giving back to the place that gave her so much

Jun 5, 2023

Debbie Sabadash, a retired TDSB English teacher, was an instructor in the Hart House Fitness Centre for three decades. She recently planned ahead and decided to make a gift to the House through her will, to support a community she cares about deeply.

It was a trial by fire: After attending a few classes at the Hart House Fitness Centre, undergrad Debbie Sabadash was spontaneously asked to sub when an instructor was delayed. She stepped up and led the class of 100 participants. Just minutes later, the instructor appeared, but Debbie was hooked. “I kind of fell into the whole thing by accident,” she says. This began her thirty-year stint as an aerobics instructor (and much more), deeply committed to the tight-knit community at Hart House.

Indeed, Debbie has played a vital role in the Hart House Fitness Centre for more than a quarter century. Now retired from her job as an English teacher in the Toronto District School Board, and no longer teaching at the Fitness Centre, she has made a remarkable and long-term commitment to Hart House: Through estate planning, the dynamic Hart House enthusiast, still very active, has made a generous donation.

With this gift, Debbie hopes to inspire other alumni, long-tenured Fitness Centre members and staff to follow her example and make a donation of this kind, set aside some funds while estate planning for something near and dear. “I think if you want to have an impact and make that connection with the institutions that have been important to you, then you should take some time and do it,” she says.

“While these types of gifts are always special, Debbie’s has exceptional resonance, because she has been such an active and supportive member of the Hart House extended family for over 30 years,” says Peter Wambera, Associate Director, Advancement. “Debbie is making this gift to give back to a place that has given her so much, and to support Hart House as a place that cares about people.”

A lasting legacy

Debbie’s legacy donation was spurred by a milestone birthday. “I started reflecting on what organizations meant a lot to me or still mean a lot to me,” she explains.

Hart House instantly came to mind. “It has been such an important part of my life. It has played a pivotal role. I have very fond memories and I think it’s a valuable experience for all students. Hart House has a kind of magic that allows that interaction. Even though I’m not going there now, I’m still in touch with the people and it really had an impact. You know, you want those organizations to continue, and you want to share that experience with others.”

I think if you want to have an impact and make that connection with the institutions that have been important to you, then you should take some time and do it.

She also is aware that since the House is an old building, which faces certain upkeep necessities, her donation could assist along these lines. With this gift, Debbie hopes to inspire other alumni, long-tenured Fitness Centre members and staff to follow her example and make a donation of this kind, set aside some funds while estate planning for something near and dear.

I think if you want to have an impact and make that connection with the institutions that have been important to you, then you should take some time and do it.

Where it all began

Debbie came to the University of Toronto, and basically never wanted to leave. She has an impressive four degrees from U of T: an Honours BA in English and German literature (1986); an MA in English (1987); and a PhD in Medieval English (1993). She went to OISE after this and earned a BEd in 1995.

She first came to the Hart House Fitness Centre with a friend, Paul Starkey, over the Christmas break because the Athletic Center was closed for the holidays. “I followed my favourite instructor, Paul … and later apprenticed with him,” she explains.

At the Hart House Fitness Centre, she discovered all the many classes, and was drawn in. “I fell in love. I mean, Hart House is such a warm, inviting place, and the classes were so creative. The instructors came from every walk of life. They were med students, philosophy students … Everybody had their own little twist. The choreography was famous, too, all over the campus. The music was great. The classes were euphoric. It was, like, Endorphin City.”

Hart House quickly became Debbie’s base: “It was like my home away from home. I was going in every day. I spent so much time at the House, I even wrote my thesis in the Arbor Room!”

Finding a community of life-long friends

She found life-long friends and discovered her community. “Some of my closest friends are from the classes from back then. We had this little network that still continues.”

Fun fact: In 1988, when the 14th G7 Summit took place in Toronto, the world leaders spent some time at U of T and Hart House. Debbie was able to catch a glimpse of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher in the quad. Later, the Italian Prime Minister Luigi Ciriaco De Mita checked out the Fitness Centre’s gym and waved at her.

Debbie was an essential part of building community at Hart House through our fitness programming. She helped pave the way toward bringing the House into the 21st Century.

Debbie never imagined herself as a fitness instructor. “I was not an athletic person. I was a couch potato! But you discover some things about yourself, I guess, in the process. It was such a rewarding experience,” she says.

Over the years, she wore many hats at the Fitness Centre, not only serving as an aerobics instructor. She was first hired as a lifeguard for the pool. She also worked the towel desk.

Debbie was an essential part of building community at Hart House through our fitness programming. She helped pave the way toward bringing the House into the 21st Century.

H. R. Martin Phills, Program Advisor, Drop-In Recreation and Wellness, at the Hart House Fitness Centre, who was Debbie’s group exercise program supervisor from 1992 until the beginning of the pandemic, says her contribution was priceless. “Debbie was an essential part of building community at Hart House through our fitness programming. She helped pave the way toward bringing the House into the 21st Century through her fitness leadership (from aquatics to fitness and martial arts) and through the lasting friendships that she cultivated during her time as a Fitness Instructor.”

Debbie worked here all the way up to the pandemic. Her final classes were low-impact and semi-yoga relaxation stretch class, after having had hip replacement surgery.

She’s still a rock star. Students have sought her out at Convocation to snap a pic of their favourite instructor because she was such a big part of their U of T experience. Former students track her down in concerts and hospitals. She was even recognised on vacation in Amsterdam and brought in for a heart-felt catch-up. “The instructors had groupies,” she jokes. “They pop up in different places!”

By Megan Mueller

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