Mrs. Daphne Margaret McDermott

September 15, 1923 – June 02, 2021

After a brief illness Daphne passed away peacefully in hospice and in the presence of family on June 2, 2021 at the age of 97 in Portland, Oregon.

Mother, Educator, Sister, Friend.

Daughter of Joan and Sydney Lewis-Lewis. Born in Carterton, Oxfordshire, England September 15,1923.  She spent her formative years in Lytham St. Annes in Lancashire. Formerly a long time resident of Newark, Delaware. Daphne lived an

adventurous life and displayed impeccable courage, resourcefulness, creativity and strength in the face of much adversity.

During World War II, at the age of 18, Daphne joined the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). She was stationed in Palestine as a meteorologist where she met her former husband and father of her seven children. They married in Jerusalem and honeymooned in Egypt. They lived in Tavistock, England prior to immigrating to the United States. They crossed the Atlantic on the HMS Georgiac in September 1951 with three children. Once settled, Daphne taught at Sanford school in Hockessin, Delaware and eventually opened her own Kindergarten-Preschool, “Terra Nova,” in Wilmington, Delaware.  Her work in early childhood education in Wilmington also included being one of the early pioneers of the HeadStart program, and the Director of The People’s Settlement Association Preschool. She ended her career as director of St Michael’s Day School, where she continued to do meaningful work, until retirement in 1989. Daphne became a United States citizen in May 1999 but maintained a deep love of her British roots.

Daphne was an avid gardener, doll maker, and knitter.  She was the mother of Nicola Blaha (deceased),  Jude McDermott of Powys, Wales, Andrew McDermott of Newark, Delaware, Avril Munro of Portland, Oregon, Chris McDermott of Groton, Massachusetts, Sierre Wendy Munro-Davalos of Portland, Oregon, Bryan McDermott of Clayton, Delaware. Sister to Avril Switzer of Richmond, Va. and Roberta Abell of Victoria, Australia. Daphne had 8 grand children and 3 great
grandchildren.

Daphne touched the lives of many and left the world a better place.
She will be missed.