Debra L. (Jay) Thomson

Cambridge, NY - Debra L. Thomson, 66, of Cambridge, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday morning, September 16, 2025, surrounded by love and family.

Born on April 6, 1959, in Fontana, California, Debra was the daughter of the late Robert Wayne and Kay Lamarr (Thompson) Jay. She graduated from Ventura High School in Ventura, CA, and began a life marked by compassion, devotion, and a generous heart.

Debra married Peter A. Thomson in 1995, and together they built a life rooted in family, adventure, and faith. Their journey took them from Port Hueneme, California to Santa Rita, Guam to Fallon, Nevada, and eventually to Granville, New York, where they lived for many years before relocating to Arizona in 2008 to be closer to their grandchildren. In 2019, they returned to Cambridge, New York, where Debra spent her remaining years.

Throughout her life, Debra found fulfillment in her work and service to others. She spent 11 years working in various positions at Stop N Go in California and later contributed her time at the Coalition Thrift Store in Ventura. In Granville, she was a familiar face to many during her time at both Rite Aid and Stewart’s. In addition to her professional roles, Debra was also a devoted caregiver to her grandchildren in Arizona and her mother-in-law when her and her husband returned to New York.

 A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Greenwich, NY, Debra lived a life grounded in faith, family, and selflessness. She found joy in simple pleasures—spoiling her grandchildren, collecting frogs, doting on her beloved cats, and always putting others before herself. Her kindness was instinctive, and her willingness to help was unwavering. Debra loved playing bingo whenever she had the chance and delighted in puzzles of all kinds—jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, word searches, and decipher games. She enjoyed playing card games like solitaire and rummy, and cherished silly rounds of Go Fish or Old Maid with her grandchildren. In her later years, she became a devoted Mets fan and found joy in watching sports on TV with her husband—especially baseball, football, hockey, and tennis.

Debra is survived by her husband of 30 years, Peter A. Thomson; her daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Steven Durette of Maricopa, AZ; and her cherished grandchildren: Caleb, Josephine, Tyler, and Anastasia Durette. She also leaves behind her brother, Terry (Lori) Jay of Oxnard, CA; her sister, Roberta (Bill) Dean of Eugene, OR; and many loving nieces and nephews, including Leann (David) Perlmutter, Dennis Jay, Terry Jay, Jr., Robert (Tiffany) Finn, and Nadine (Wendell) Smith, as well as several great-nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Debra’s life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 111 Academy Street, Greenwich, NY. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend.

Debra will be remembered for her warmth, her unwavering devotion to those she loved, and the gentle strength with which she touched so many lives.

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