Debra Ann DeGraw passed away Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at the age of 57 in Magna, Utah. She was born December 7th 1967, in Centralia Washington. 

Debbie spent her early years in Washington state with her parents Laurene Idele Gildner and John Leroy Stevens, and her siblings Damon, Stephanie, Jonathan (deceased), Melissa, Daniel, Rachael, Rebecca, and Christopher. She was the oldest of nine children and had an imagination that made even the dullest of chores fun for everyone. 

Debbie had her oldest daughter, Chloe in Washington and then moved to Utah where she had Ethan, Tanner, and Torin. While there, Debbie did foster care for multiple teenage girls and emergency foster care for infants. During this time, they were blessed to have Alisha join them as a foster, and she quickly became a permanent part of their family. Debbie always had fun activities for not only her kids, but the neighborhood kids, as well. 

Later, Debbie moved to Houston, Texas where she had Quentin, Brigdon, and Sevannah. While there, she continued pursuing crafty adventures, made each of her kids "I Spy" quilts, and spent quality time raising her kids. She engaged in leadership positions within her church, and stayed busy with side jobs like mystery shopping and selling things on eBay. She was passionate about mental health and women's safety. She participated in Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes and encouraged those around her to do the same. 

In her later years, she moved to Utah where she became involved in the Family Support Center working as a Family Mentor and later in Adoption Respite Care. She was passionate about her work there and put her all into it. She would even handmake toys to bring with her and engage the imagination of the children, like story stones. She found peace, love, and safety with her boyfriend Troy and their two dogs, Sif and Vor. 

Out of everything in her life, Debbie was proudest of her children. Who they are as individuals and the way they move through the world was her greatest joy. She knew them each as their own person from day one. She had special jokes and nicknames with each of them and she never asked them to be anything but who they are. 

She leaves behind her a legacy of generosity and service, silliness and joy. She was known to help strangers in need, even if it meant that she had to go without. She chose to work where she could make a difference, and led a life where she did that every day. She encouraged others to speak goodness and focus on the kindnesses in life, even when life wasn't so kind to her. The world will always be better for having known her. 

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