Chloris Ann deBrauwere

Chloris Ann deBrauwere, 89, passed away on November 15 in San Clemente, CA. Born at home in San Fernando, CA on March 1, 1934, to John Hamilton and Chloris (Roberts) Daywalt, Chloris (aka "Nana") lived an amazing full life of accomplishment and adventure. She was a loving mother, a loyal friend, a role model, an unapologetic feminist, an admired and respected attorney, a savvy investor, a talented artist - a beautiful, intelligent, confident, and fearless force of nature that successfully blazed her own trail throughout her life. Although she could admittedly be quite a character at times, she was the whole package. It was never safe to be on her bad side, but everybody who had the privilege of meeting her - as friend or foe - has a lovely Nana story.

The second of three children, Chloris never quite fit in with the societal norms of her times. Although hard to imagine now, in 1940's and 1950's America, a woman's place was still primarily in the home. Colleges were predominantly male, and women were neither expected nor welcomed into professional trades. In typical fashion, Chloris decided very early that she wanted to be an attorney, and refused to let any obstacles stand in her way. Although she married very young, just 18 years old, for the next decade she chipped away at her goal. She attended college part time and graduated, while juggling the struggles of raising of four children, going through a divorce, and working full time as a social worker. She then attended law school at night, passed the California Bar on her first try, and in 1972 began working as one of the first female Public Defenders for Los Angeles County.

When her mother passed away in 1975, Chloris invested her small inheritance in an apartment building in Glendale. Over the years, she successfully parlayed this investment into a real estate portfolio of multiple properties, with income that sustained her through retirement and the eventual financial demands of her long-term care in her final years. An interesting side note, although Chloris was a professional herself, she was always reluctant to hire professionals for the numerous odd jobs necessary to maintain her apartments - preferring to do repairs by herself. This always resulted in an eclectic wish list of birthday or holiday gifts such as work belts, tools, ladders, plumbing snakes and so on.

After a long successful career as a Public Defender, she ultimately tired of dealing with other peoples' problems (especially when related to rape, murder, and general violence and mayhem) and retired at the age of 58. She spent the next 25+ years traveling, dabbling in various investments, painting, doing water aerobics, and enjoying her friends, relatives, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was always available, and fiercely loyal and supportive to family and friends, who routinely benefited from her financial and emotional support, her sage advice, and - when necessary - the generous gratis sharing of her legal knowledge.

The strokes she suffered about six years ago eventually led to full time board and care, though she was able to stay within proximity to her family in San Clemente. While her passing is devastating to her family and all who loved her, it was not unexpected as she had been in deteriorating health for several years. Until the end, she always smiled and lit up when the conversation turned to her grandchildren, and she always ended each conversation with "Nana Loves You"!

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Daywalt and two daughters, Debra Stephens, and Tracy Everitt. She is survived by her son, Daniel (Cindy) deBrauwere; her daughter, Alida (Kit) Waugh; 12 grandchildren, Catherine (Joe) Gill, Scott (Melissa) Stephens, Spencer Stephens, Vivian (Vince) Amatuzzi, Davis deBrauwere, Remy (Jeremy) Williams, Jessica (Jake) Hollingsworth, Patrick DeMont, Adelynn Everitt, Evan (Kate McKnelly) Waugh, Justin (Chloe L) Waugh, Chloe R Waugh; and 11 great-grandchildren, Madison, Parker, Barrett, and Emerson Gill, Stella and Miller Stephens, Waylon and Wyatt Hollingsworth, Aurora DeMont, Freyr McKnelly-Waugh, and Rowan Waugh. She is also survived by her sister, Martha Baker, a son-in-law, Jeffrey Stephens, and a sister-in-law, Rachel Daywalt.

A celebration of her life will be held on December 22. For more information on this event send an email to Chloris.deBrauwere@gmail.com.