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Deborah Ashley Edwards

  Deborah Ashley Edwards, 57, died peacefully at home in Sonoma surrounded by her loving family on June 19, 2012.

  Deborah was born July 29, 1954, in San Francisco and grew up in Corte Madera and Belvedere, where she and her sister, Kathleen, became accomplished sailors at SFYC under the tutelage of their father, Roy. Their mother, Mary, imparted a culinary trove of great recipes, and an appreciation for style rooted in their early shopping trips to I. Magnin and City of Paris, with the requisite Normandy Lane spaghetti lunch. The seeds were planted for Deborah’s 30-plus year career in retail sales and management, and as an incredible mother and spouse.

  Deborah graduated from Redwood High School in Larkspur in 1972, where she first met her husband-to-be, Jamie. An unforgettable lasagna dinner she hosted with friends at the “yellow house” in Larkspur a few years later helped set the hook. Deborah’s sailing prowess landed Jamie as crewmate for life following a first date on Raccoon Straits over sandwiches and beer. They married in Belvedere in May 1981, and moved from San Francisco to Sonoma in 1984 to begin raising their three beautiful children.

  From her jobs in Marin County to The Toy Shop and The Corner Store in Sonoma, Deborah also contributed window displays for St. Francis Sonoma Church Mouse, served on the altar guild at Trinity Episcopal Church, and was class mom nonpareil. She was the go-to arbiter on preparation, presentation, and taste – whether outfitting a customer, Christmas tree, school auditorium, or store window. Her meals made the holidays and family celebrations special. Her radiance and drive and the memory of her beautiful smiling blue eyes will always endure.

  Deborah is survived by her husband, Jamie; children Ashley, James and Emily; and sister, Kathleen Ashley Watson, her husband, Jay, and sons, Thomas and Charlie, all of Sonoma.

  Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2012, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 275 E. Spain St., Sonoma. Donations in memory of Deborah may be made to a deserving charity of your choice. Inquiries can be made to Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service at 707-996-3655 or at www.duggansmissionchapel.com.

Duggan’s Mission Chapel.

Mission Cremation Service

525 West Napa Street

Sonoma, CA 95476

707-996-3655