Daphne Margaret Easton

Daphne Easton, age 89, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. Born in England as Margaret Daphne White in 1933, Daphne was the only child of Stanley Warren and Elizabeth Birdie White.

She was a young child during World War II and told stories of bomb raids, food shortages, and rationing – mentioning in particular there was only 2 oz of butter per person per week. She recalled standing in long lines just to buy a chocolate bar – which explains her lifelong love of both butter and chocolate! She grew up playing with her cousins and later trained to be a legal secretary.

When she was only 24, she and her friend Veronica (Ronnie) decided that they would move to America. They hopped on a boat and danced and dined across the Atlantic, landing in New York where her name was switched to Daphne Margaret White. The two best friends found work as secretaries in New York. At some point, they decided New York was too cold and so they made their way to sunny California and again found jobs as secretaries.

While living in the new apartment complex, a tall, handsome neighbor asked to borrow a few chairs and a coffee carafe in order to host a poker party with his buddies. The girls agreed to loan the items. Later, Daphne heard a crash and she just knew that it was her glass carafe. The apology came with an invitation to go on a date and this became the beginning of a beautiful romance that spanned just a few weeks shy of 59 years.

Charles Robert Easton (Bob) asked Daphne to marry him and they had a small ceremony, attended by a few friends in Mar Vista, CA on January 25, 1964. A few years later they bought their first home in Carson, CA. This is where they began raising their family of three daughters. Later, they found the perfect home in Rancho Palos Verdes which overlooked the Pacific Ocean. They enjoyed beautiful views of Catalina Island and California sunsets on the horizon for nearly 46 years.

Aside from raising their three girls, Bob and Daphne enjoyed raising German Shepherds. They became involved in the local 4-H club and Guide Dogs for the Blind where they raised 33 puppies. Daphne served as a club leader for many years and they continued to be advisors to the group until their move to Colorado. She also headed up the local Neighborhood Watch chapter.

Daphne enjoyed bowling for the PTA group, knitting, sewing and making the perfect cup of tea. She also enjoyed playing bridge with the neighborhood ladies and making lifelong friends with their couples bridge group. We all remember the immaculate but comfortable house she kept and her amazing ability to keep her household, husband, and various clubs and church groups running smoothly.

The three daughters grew up, married and had families of their own. Daphne had 10 grandkids and just recently added another by marriage. Daphne, now called Nana, was a wonderful resource for her daughters as they raised their own children (and puppies). She was known as the master at redirecting a toddler, keeping them content and out of trouble. She was also the “measuring stick” for the grandkids as they grew. If they could say they were taller than Nana then they knew they were growing up to at least big kid status.

In 2016, Bob and Daphne moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to family. They enjoyed living next door to their youngest daughter Diane and her family and having their oldest daughter Sharon and her family not far away in Castle Rock. Her middle daughter Anita and her family visited as often as possible from North Carolina and many fond memories were made during Bob and Daphne’s time in Colorado Springs.

Nana loved her family and her husband of nearly 59 years and was a true example of a strong, godly woman in her faith, support of family and unique, feisty sense of humor. She led by example. She knew that being the support behind the scenes was a valuable and needed role and in no way lessened her worth or compromised her individuality. She was spunky, smart, a hard worker and a sure and steady source of love and respect.

Daphne is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley White and Birdie White. She is survived by her loving husband, Bob Easton, daughter Sharon Easton, daughter Anita Arnold and husband Chris, and daughter Diane Applequist and husband CJ as well as her 11 grandchildren –Bethany, Natalya, Brennan, Caleb, Shawna, Maggie, Britain, Janelle and husband Josiah, Ben and Joe, as well as a nieces, nephews and sister-in-law, Paula Easton.