Debra J. Sloan

Debra J. Sloan March 3, 1957 - February 8, 2026 To know her was to feel the room come alive. She was lively in a way that drew people in instantly. Her laugh, the kind you could hear from a mile away, was unmistakable, and children seemed to fall in love with her within minutes. She had a gift for connection. Whether at a family gathering or among friends, she was often the life of the gathering, not because she tried to be, but because joy followed her naturally. At her core were three great loves: her Christian faith, her family, and her puppy dogs. She believed deeply that God had her days planned before she ever stepped into them, and that trust anchored her though every season of life. She was a loving and devoted wife to her husband of 28 years. Sharing a deep and loving bond that could never be broken by anything earthly. God was at the center of their marriage. She was fiercely protective of her nieces and nephews, invested in each of their lives, and known as the fun aunt who showed up fully and loved without reservation. Her compassion extended beyond people; animals always had a special place in her heart, and she felt the most alive in nature, surrounded by those she loved. As a sister, she was steadfast and fiercely committed. Sister time was not optional; it was sacred. The sisters traveled all over the country to make it happen, building memories that will now be treasured stories. Her commitment to family was not casual; it was intentional and enduring. She was also a hardworking principled woman who took pride in doing things well simply because it was the right thing to do. She worked with diligence and integrity, often with a smile even when the work was not easy. She spent 40 years in the grocery store business in the Chicago area, where she built a reputation for reliability and warmth and formed many cherished friendships that lasted beyond the workplace. Three and a half years ago, retirement brought her to California, a move that allowed her to live closer to family and create the daily life she cherished most. Home was her happy place. There she would cook, garden, drink her coffee, listen to her husband play guitar, and simply enjoy togetherness with her beloved dogs nearby. She loved Chinese food, diverse music, Christmas decorations, baking cookies with her sisters, and traveling to visit family in Tennessee, California, and Arizona. She carried traditions with warmth and made ordinary days feel meaningful. Her strength was especially evident over the past three and a half years as she navigated cancer with courage and grace. Though the journey presented many challenges, it also deepened the family’s compassion, resilience, and connection to one another, a reflection of the way she continued to shape the life around her. She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Mary (Lucas) Lamont, and her brother, James Lamont. She is survived by her devoted husband, Douglas Sloan; her siblings Robert Lamont (Desiree), Steve Lamont (Kim), Michelle Maier (Tom), Carole Lamont, and Jennifer Bartee (Rick); and her cherished nieces and nephews Harrison, Ella, Gabriel, Emily (Zakk), Lauren, Brian, Daniel, Dina, Ryan, Brittany, Tatianna, Milo, and Bosten, along with several great nieces and nephews. To honor her, listen to great music, spend time with those you love, care well for your animals, and remember that God has your back. Her laughter may no longer echo down the hall, but the joy she brought into every room remains.