Deborah Lou Lawson

Deborah Lou Lawson of Tempe, Arizona passed away on May 17, 2026.

Deborah was born on January 31, 1954, in Gardner, Kansas. She spent most of her growing up years in small towns in Kansas where her father was a Baptist minister and her mother an Iowa farm girl. Deb attended Brighton High School in Brighton, Colorado, where she graduated as head girl in 1972. Deborah exhibited an interest in art and theater early in her life. She won high school art awards and starred in and directed several high school theater productions.

Deborah went on to earn a degree in Art Education from the University of Northern Colorado where she graduated in 1976. During summers in college, she enjoyed working at Peaceful Valley Guest Ranch where she perfected her cooking and baking skills. Throughout her life she took pride and pleasure in entertaining friends and relatives by sharing meals.

In the late seventies, Deborah moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where her background in art led her to work at several art galleries, including the Forrest Fenn Gallery, where she helped launch new exhibits by organizing gallery openings and receptions.

Deborah moved to Phoenix in the mid-eighties where she worked for a time at Master’s Gallery in Scottsdale. On a trip to London, she met Basil Scowen whom she subsequently married; they divorced ten years later.

In the mid-nineties, she relocated to Chicago to take a job at the Chicago Art Institute. She then returned to Phoenix where she left the art world to work as an administrative assistant at Friendship Village, Chandler Fashion Center, and Fresenius Medical until her retirement. After retirement she volunteered in after school programs teaching art.

Deb enjoyed unearthing lovely treasures in local garage sales and using them to enhance her comfortable and beautiful home. She was devoted to many dogs during her life, notably Little Brown Dog, affectionately called LBD, and her latest canine companion, Emmy.

Deborah is survived by her sisters Brigit and Ann Lawson, beloved nieces Chloe and Colette Larson, and nephew Ned Lawson Fischer.

A Scripture Service in memory of Deborah will be held at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Chandler on Thursday, June 11 at 10:30 am.