Obituary of Debra Elizabeth Dayton

Debra Elizabeth Dayton, 69, passed away on May 29 th 2022 at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Arizona after a long bout with cancer. She was born on August 7, 1952, to Patricia Day Vickers and Delavan Smith Lachman in Beaufort, South Carolina. She was later adopted by her stepfather Monte Dayton and was soon joined by two brothers: Kurt and Gregory Dayton. During the first of her two marriages, in 1977, she welcomed her son, Darryl Scott Levey. Debbi grew up in the San Mateo area of California and graduated from Hillsdale High School. During her career Debbi worked primarily in the dental industry. She had moved on to being an in-home care giver by the time of her retirement in 2011. She then moved to Sun City, Arizona. While in Sun City she made many friends in her community and enjoyed spending time with her friends both in her neighborhood and at church. Debbi was an insatiable traveler who enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing a variety of cultures at every opportunity. From Australia to Europe, she made friends wherever she went, but especially loved every chance she had to be in the Country of Ireland. She often used these trips as an opportunity to indulge in another large passion of hers, that of genealogy. Debbi was fascinated by ancestry and enjoyed researching heritage not just for her own immediate family, but for other friends and relatives as well. She was a proud member of the Mayflower Club, tracing her lineage all the way back to that fateful ship. Her travels included frequent trips to Eastern Washington State to visit her beloved grandchildren, Declan Shane Levey (14), and Shannon Michelle Levey (8). Debbi was preceded in death by her mother Patricia Vickers, her adopted father Monte Dayton, and her biological father Delavan Lachman. She is survived by her son Darryl (Jesee), and her brothers Kurt (Erma), and Greg Dayton. She is also survived by her grandchildren Declan and Shannon (Darryl and Jesee), and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as long-lost and newly found cousins. Debbi was a loving mother and grandparent, as well as a treasured friend of many. Debbi’s celebration of life is tentatively planned for the fall of 2022. Notification will be forthcoming regarding the exact date and location. Her family is deeply grateful for the assistance of her friends and neighbors during her sudden passing and treasure all of the stories that have been shared. Thank you for your love and support.Graveside Service Friday, June 16, 2023 Starts at 2:30pm (Pacific time) Stockton Rural Cemetery 2350 Cemetery Ln, Stockton, CA 95204