Debra Arlyne (Graton) Peters, 70, passed away in the loving care of her husband Tom at their home in Ashland, New Hampshire on January 1, 2025.   Debra was born to Henry Clay Graton and Leona (Carignan) Graton February 2, 1954 in Carson City Nevada. Their home was in Lake Tahoe NV. Debra was 7 of 9 siblings: Gilbert Barry Graton of West Haven VT, Marcia L. (Dodie) Brown of Maricopa AZ, , Catherine L. Graton of Mesa AZ, Susan Mattias of Concord CA, Gale Russo and Husband David of Rochester NY, Patricia Marion of Gordonville PA, Thomas Sumner Graton of Fair Haven, VT and Jon Mathew Graton of Maricopa AZ.

Debra is survived by her devoted husband of 48yr’s, Thomas E Peters, 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren: Monica Lynn (Peters) Valle with husband Douglas Davidson and daughter Cleopatra Valle and son Douglas Jr. Davidson all of Hollis, NH, Travis Clay Peters of Seattle Wa, Olivia Peters Mazur with Husband Theodore Mazur and son's Ari and Zevi and daughters Misha and Noomi of Windham ME. Also many cousins, nieces' and nephews'.

As a child Debra fondly remembers life on the ranch in NV and actually had a lamb that would follow her to the school bus stop and meet her there when the bus returned. She loved her time with the animals and being outdoors. Her family moved from NV to BC and then to Ashland in 1968, so her father Henry could work on a covered bridge project with his brother Milton. Debra's mother took over the management of Aunt Doris and Uncle Milton’s' Black Horse Motor Court where Debra and sisters cleaned motel rooms and cottages.

Debra attended Ashland High and was active in sports; Softball and Basketball. She received the DAR award, a member of National Honor society and graduated Valedictorian. She met Tom, a sophomore, when she was a senior at Ashland High Class of 1972. She tolerated his persistence until she finally let him marry her with, first a hand shake and then a kiss in 1976. "After all", she said, "this is a contract". She worked at Plymouth Stitching while attending Plymouth State College, graduating with a degree in Education and Art.

Debra loved cooking and baking different and healthy meals for everyone. She spent many hours barefoot working in her backyard garden, greenhouse and picking berries during the season. She became a member of the Ashland Garden Club and its Treasurer for a time. She enjoyed her time traveling, Visiting with family and exploring new places, reading, hiking, and kayaking and on the boat with friends and relatives, specially time spent with her children and grandchildren.

With a growing family, Debra and Tom built a small home and started a business. Debra did the heavy lifting with raising and teaching the kids and doing all the bookwork for the business. She will be remembered for being Sweet, Kind, Intelligent and always ready to debate.

Debra will be greatly missed

Celebration of Life with Buffet Luncheon for Family and Friends scheduled on Feb 2, 2025 at 12:noon at the Barn on the Pemi, route 3 Plymouth, NH. Please let us know if you can attend by 1-15-2025 so we can get a head count. Call 603-968-7800 or email to tomepeters99@gmail.com