Daphne Dawn Everett

Daphne Dawn Everett
I can no longer see you with my eyes nor touch you with my hands, but I can feel you
- Unknown
passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 19th, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, surrounded by her devoted and loving family. Daphne was 49 years old and just days away from her 50th birthday. Daphne Dawn Laffery, daughter of Leslie George and Colette Faye (Christensen) Laffery, was born Tuesday, June 4, 1974. She arrived as a sister and new best friend to her brother Drew Alan.
Daphne and the family resided outside of Clay Center until a tornado in the summer of 1979 struck their family home. The family moved to Odessa, TX for about 7 years before eventually returning to Clay Center where Daphne went on to graduate from Clay Center Community High School in 1992. Not long after returning to Clay Center, Daphne met her true soul mate and future husband, James Patrick George Everett. The two high school sweethearts married on June 18, 1994, and were looking forward to celebrating 30 years of love in only a few weeks. The loving marriage produced an infant child that was called home by God before they could meet, a wonderful son, Jaime, and a beautiful daughter, Lauren. The family enjoyed a simple, quiet life in Julesburg, Colorado for several years where Daphne worked as a bookkeeper for the family
business, B.P.& J. Enterprise. In 1995, the family again returned to Kansas, this time deciding to make their home on the southwest side of Wichita where they lived for the past 25 years. Daphne found a professional calling in the healthcare field, working first as a collection specialist for Via Christi before earning a nursing degree in 2019. She was a passionate caregiver and worked a wide range of positions from emergency room, clinical care, juvenile and special needs. She loved helping others to heal both physically and mentally. Daphne knew that healing came from giving love and comfort. She always managed to put her feelings aside and dedicated her life to helping those around her. Although life gave Daphne her fair share of heart break and disappointment, she was always ready with her trademark smile for anyone that needed an emotional lift. Daphne had a blunt but sincere manner of speaking, a perpetual smile, and a contagious laugh, all of which were enjoyed and shared by all. She loved life and everything it had to offer and was an adventurer by nature. Daphne viewed the powerful waters of Niagara Falls, visited Graceland, sat on the rim of the Grand Canyon, traveled 1027' below ground exploring the Carlsbad caverns, and walked 956' above the Arkansas River along the Royal Gorge suspension bridge. From television shows to board games, hockey games and casino trips, getting lost in a novel or cruising the ocean blue, or simply taking a trip to reconnect with family and friends, Daphne enjoyed so many different things in life. She loved music of all types, trivia, and county fairs. Even times when she was made to realize an Elvis impersonator wasn't the real deal, she'd still boldly proclaim, "he was Elvis to me!" demonstrating her gifted ability to see the good in everything. But most of all, she was a loyal loving
member of a remarkable family. Nieces, nephews, cousins, and even friends would often describe Daphne as their 2nd mother, adopted sister, or best friend remarking on how she frequently went out of her way to make things just a little more special for those around her. Daphne loved all and was loved by all.
When Daphne learned she was becoming a grandmother, she was overjoyed. Thinking life couldn't get any sweeter with James, Jamie, and Lauren, Daphne couldn't stop talking about her new bundles of joy in her life. Her loving and nurturing spirit were on full display for all to see as she welcomed them into her life and family. Although Daphne didn't favor the thought of being "old," she definitely loved being a Nana! In March of 2022 Daphne discovered she had developed the hereditary form of Amyloidosis. This disease killed her maternal grandfather, Robert Christensen at 49, and her mother, Colette at 47. After exhaustive effort through insurance battles and visits to the Mayo Clinic, the decision was reached to perform a heart transplant. After receiving word that a donor was available on May 9, 2024, Daphne accepted the donated heart and went into surgery the following day. Complications arose in the days following the procedure and on May 19, 2024, Daphne flew up to heaven on the wings of angels where she now walks with Jesus. Amyloidosis was a shadow that haunted Daphne all her life, but this disease doesn't just target the hearts of the patient but also the hearts of all those who loved her. Daphne is survived by her husband, James Everett, son, Jamie (James) and wife Samantha, their 4 children, Peyton James Culver, Clayton Michael Culver, Mason Scott Nielsen, and Emerie Willow Everett. daughter, Lauren Everett of Park City, KS. father and stepmother, Les and Carol Laffery of Clay Center, KS. sister, Mary Laffery Ortiz and husband Michael of Rockford, Il. brother, Les Laffery of Rockford, Il. brother, Drew Laffery & Karla of Blue Rapids, KS. brother, Andrew Laffery and wife Theresa, of Tonganoxie, KS. sister, Dawn Cook and husband Joe, of Clay Center, KS. brothers, Daniel Laffery and wife April, of Mulvane, KS. James Laffery and wife Jessica, of Dallas, TX., sister-in- law, Barbara Everett of Park City, KS., brother-in-law, Phillip Everett and wife Patti Jo, of Topeka, KS. Daphne was preceded in death by her mother, Colette Faye (Christensen) Welch, unborn infant child, uncles, Kerry and Kevin Christensen, Robert and James Laffery, sister-in-law, Patricia Everett, father- in-law, Phillip Everett, and mother-in-law, Darlene Everett. grandfather, Robert Christensen and wife Ruth. grandfather, Leroy Laffery and wife JoAnn. grandmother, Inez Hope Green and husband
James; grandmother, Evelyn Hiebert and husband Daryl; step-grandmother, Nellie Perkins. Visitation will be Wednesday May 29, 2024, 5 pm – 7pm Affinity All Faiths Mortuary, 2850 S. Seneca, Wichita, Ks 67217. Funeral Service will be Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 6:30 pm
The Alter Church, 321 South 162nd Street Goddard, Ks. 67052.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Daphne Dawn Everett, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.