Deborah Catherine Daffer

Deborah Catherine Daffer of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 76 years of age. She completed her long battle with Lewy body dementia, passing peacefully with family by her side. Deborah was born in Fontana, California on October 12, 1949, to Arthur and Jacquelyn Stevens. She lived much of her life in Las Vegas, Nevada and La Mesa, California before making her home in Wichita, Kansas.

She had a deep love for the ocean that never left her, even when life took her to Nevada and Kansas, and one she passed on to her children. Her love for animals was equally strong, having shared her home with many beloved cats and dogs throughout her life. She spent countless hours researching her family lineage, tracing her roots back to Scotland and Ireland. She loved spending time shopping and always had a murder mystery novel within reach, you could usually count on it being Agatha Christie or Sue Grafton. On Sundays you could find her watching football, never shy about yelling at the TV to get her players to step it up.

A breast cancer survivor, Deborah fought and beat the disease over 15 years ago. In the years that followed she faced her battles with characteristic feistiness, having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and ultimately Lewy body dementia, a recent bout of shingles proving to be the catalyst that ended her fight.

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Jacquelyn Stevens; her husband of 31 years, John William Daffer, who passed away in 2020 in San Diego, California; and her brother, Jud Stevens, who passed away in 2024. She is survived by her four children, Tamara, Brian, Carolyn and Catherine, along with "adopted" children Kevin, Krista and Kathy, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

People wishing to honor Deborah's lifelong commitment to enjoying family, friends and life can send cards to PO Box 781584, Wichita, KS 67278. Those wishing to send donations, Deborah's family would request you consider the Yosemite Conservancy, the Breast Cancer Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital."