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Debra Jo Davey

1953 - 2018

Debra Jo Davey obituary, 1953-2018, Mesa, AZ

Debra Davey Obituary

Debra Jo Davey

Mesa - Debra Jo Davey of Mesa, AZ passed away peacefully at home on July 22, 2018 at age 65. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Richard Sheeley Sr. and Thelda Jo Sheeley, and younger brother Paul Richard Sheeley, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey James Davey, son Matthew James Gunby III (Stephanie Jo Gunby), daughter Rebecca Jo Fisher (Nathan Fisher), and their 2 daughters, Penelope Jo, age 3, and Charlotte Jo, age 8 weeks.

Debbie was born on January 29, 1953 in Los Angeles, California. Debbie lived her younger years in Antelope Valley, which she considered her hometown. At Palmdale High School, she excelled at playing the piano, was a mathlete, a star tennis player, and loved working as a lifeguard at the local pool.

In 1971, Debbie moved to Tempe to attend Arizona State University. She would forever after call the Valley of the Sun her home.

Debbie devoted her life to teaching. After graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and Piano Performance, she married Jim Gunby and settled in Mesa, Arizona to welcome Matt & Becky Jo into the world. Her first teaching job was Choral Director at Longview School. This is where Debbie's passion for teaching and music thrived. She taught her students not just to have a love of music, but inspired many to follow in her footsteps and become teachers and music professionals themselves. One of Debra Jo's favorite things in life was attending music camps at Northern Arizona University and Camp Pacific in Carlsbad, California, with little Matt and Becky Jo in tow, often using her suitcase as a makeshift crib for her babies.

After nine years teaching at Longview, Debbie became the Choral Director at Rhodes Junior High. She built up the choral department to four individual choirs and produced many very successful musicals. Rhodes earned countless awards and accolades in the many choral competitions under her guidance, even against high schools, and she was often called upon as an expert in her field to work with other choirs in workshops and master classes around the country. The sound she was able to produce from a group of public school teenagers could only be truly appreciated by those lucky enough to have heard them.

In 1998 Debbie took on the community theater world, and during her first gig she met Jeffrey Davey, whom she married in 2000. They enjoyed many years of performing theater together, singing in various choirs, traveling to faraway places, and making a beautiful home at 'Chez Davey', their lakeside home in Mesa with their beagle dogs and cats. She enjoyed hosting many cast parties and other fun events there with Jeffrey.

Debra Jo went on to complete her Doctor of Musical Arts degree, also from Arizona State University. (Go Devils!) She received multiple ariZoni Theater Awards of Excellence awards (Valley-area equivalent to the "Tony Awards"), and served as Artistic Director to Mesa Encore Theatre for many years. However, for all of her shows, she always included in her bio that her favorite 'productions' were Matt & Becky Jo.

Debra Jo touched so many lives, inspired so many hearts, and filled so many venues with her love of music. Her legacy still rings from the school rafters where she started programs, in the camps and organizations she fostered, and can be heard in the voices of performers who command the stage all the way to Broadway and beyond.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 25, 2 p.m. at Rhodes Jr. High School Auditorium, 1860 South Longmore, Mesa 85202, to be followed at 3:30 p.m. by a Celebration of Life "Cast Party" at Macayo's Depot Cantina, 300 S. Ash, Tempe 85281. All are welcome at both gatherings.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either: Mesa Encore Theatre's Scholarship Fund (for graduating seniors entering college to study the performing arts) - https://www.paypal.me/MesaEncoreTheatre or Arizona Community Church, Tempe - https://www.azccorg/give

Shine on, Debbie. The light you shared with this world is reflected in the multitude of people you touched.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 19, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
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Derich Ip

April 23, 2024

Debbie's light shines on in the hearts of all those she touched with her passion for music and teaching. Her dedication to her students and the community theater world left an indelible mark, inspiring countless lives. As a friend of her husband Jeffrey, or OneMinuteMan / 1MinuteMan as we called him, I've heard him speak highly of her, and it's evident how much she meant to him and their family. Together, they enjoyed watching DSPGaming videos, cherishing simple moments amidst life's joys and challenges.

sally killeen

September 18, 2021

debby ... i think of you often, i really do ... i think you had so much more love to give ... sorry you ran out of time ... much love, sally

Dale Plumb

October 12, 2018

To know her is to love her. Debra was always ready to help anyone who needed someone. As a teacher
she was great and had many students and fellow teachers sing her praises. I was proud and happy to be known as a friend and fellow teacher. If I was a composer, I would be writing a song for and about her instead of this.

Kiki Plesha

September 11, 2018

I had the honor to work with Debra Jo on the MET BOD. She was pure joy. Her energy was boundless and her spirit was one of giving, teaching, and uplifting others. She loved music and theatre and gave tirelessly to the theatrical community. She was incredibly talented and the warm welcome she extended me as a newcomer to Mesa will not be forgotten. She will remain a shining light in my memory of my time in Arizona. RIP, Dr. Deb. I celebrate your life!

Pam Pershing Lezo

August 26, 2018

She gave so much of her heart to Mesa Encore Theatre and she will be sorely missed. She was tireless and her energy was infectious. A sweet 3 year old neighbor once said to me, when I told her that her playmate had gone to live with God, "My mommy has a car; she can go bring her back." If only we could....

Brianne Provost

August 23, 2018

I only worked with Debra Jo for a short time, but what a loving influence she was on me. I will always remember how kind she was, and I know her family misses her beautiful smile in their lives. My heart is with you all.

Kim Colangelo

August 22, 2018

Debbie was a truly beautiful soul who inspired and instilled a love of music to her students, having been one of those early students in the late 70's at Longview elementary school, I will never forget our trips to music camp and the fun we always had. She was one of my favorite teachers and I'm glad to have gotten to see her this past October at the Longview reunion. Heaven's choir has an amazing new member!

Linda Spevacek

August 20, 2018

I have known Debbie since I moved here in 1994. She invited me, a choral composer, to work with her choirs. She was an amazing teacher and the kids so related to her. In the many years since I have watched her in many venues and she was always at the top of her game....a wonderful musician, a caring teacher. On the personal level, I enjoyed driving one day with her to Flagstaff. I was giving a workshop for the Educators there and she offered to have me drive with her. She was so delightful, so open and so real. What a treasure. We will all miss her not only for her contribution to choral music but as a person. Here's to a life well lived, Debbie!

Suze St. John

August 19, 2018

She was such a loving and giving soul. She had such a way of making one feel valued, special, talented and necessary. She will be greatly missed.

August 18, 2018

I have lost one of my favorite friends...I miss her very much and her family is in my thoughts daily. god speed debby...I love you.
sally killeen

Betty Wickwire

August 18, 2018

My love to Jeff, Matt, and Becky Jo and your families. Grieve as you must for as long as you need. Debbie left many memories that you will cherish.

Robert

August 16, 2018

My deep condolences to the family. May Gods promise to bind up the brokenhearted bring you comfort at this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results

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Memorial Events
for Debra Davey

Aug

25

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Rhodes Jr. High School Auditorium

1860 South Longmore, Mesa, AZ

Aug

25

Celebration of Life

3:30 p.m.

Macayo's Depot Cantina, "Cast Party"

300 S. Ash, Tempe, AZ

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