Debora Annette Leighton

Deborah Leighton, 73, of Chesapeake, VA passed away February 23, 2026, after a 10-year long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Deborah was born on October 5, 1952, in Chelsea, MA to the late Agrippino Schena and Tessie Jameson. During her childhood, Debbi was a survivor. Growing up in inner-city Boston, she had to become street wise at a young age in order to take care of herself and her younger siblings. As the oldest of six, she frequently assumed the role of mother for her brothers and sisters.

While attending high school in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, Debbi met the man that would eventually become her husband, Peter Leighton Sr. Soon after graduating high school, they married on October 30, 1970. Still teenagers and on their own, they worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. Their faith and the strength of their love helped them survive these tough times.

On October 2, 1979, Debbi gave birth to her only child, Peter Leighton Jr. Though she would have loved to grow her family, she was unable to, so she decided instead to devote her life to her son. After he was born, she began her new and most important career as a stay-at-home mother.

When her son started school, Debbi eventually began working part time as an office manager at St. Williams Church in Tewksbury, MA. Through this job, Debbi built fulfilling relationships with the priests of that parish, and she truly enjoyed her time working there. At St. Williams, she was able to share her passion for youth and teaching by becoming a leader of the parish youth group. She was also able to share her love of music and enjoyed singing and playing her flute for the church choir. Her later career included being an office manager for Niagara Catholic High School in Niagara Falls, NY.

Debbi took every opportunity to work with young people, as this is what she truly loved. She was a Cub Scout den leader, a soccer coach, a youth group leader, a CCD teacher, and a Vacation Bible School teacher.

Debbi was devoted to the Catholic Church and wherever she lived, she found a way to get involved. In Coventry, RI, she created and ran Vacation Bible School for St. John and Paul Catholic Church. She also taught religious education at the church for many years. At Christ the King Catholic Church in Warwick, RI, Debbi sang in the choir and thoroughly enjoyed her time singing with her friends.

Debbi loved the arts. She played the flute, she had a beautiful singing voice, and she was an exceptional artist. She was organized, thoughtful, and only wanted to bring love to the people she encountered. Her greatest joy was being able to sing in the church choir and contribute to worship and prayer during mass.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, Peter Leighton, Sr; son, Peter Leighton, Jr; Jennifer Leighton (Lynn); siblings, James Schena, Karen Schena (Leighton), Patrice Salani (Schena), Arthur Salani; Michael Schena, Yvonne Canuel; Pauline Rasmussen (Schena), Steve Rasmussen, Craig Schena, Diana Schena (Dimente). Nieces and nephews, Katie Dowd (Schena), Kristian Schena, Jessie Rasmussen, Anthony Salani, Christina Schena, Nichole Schena, and Michael Schena.

Even while suffering from Alzheimer's, she still brought love and joy to everyone she met. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Debbi's name to the 'Alzheimers Foundation of America .
A funeral service will be held at The Catholic Church of St. Mark on March 27, 2026 at 11 am with Father Eric Asamoah officiating. The address is: 1505 Kempsville Rd. Virginia Beach, VA, 23464.

Arrangements are in the care of Graham Funeral Home and Crematory, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. Please visit grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.