Deborah Goto Obituary

DEBORAH LYNN BROWN GOTO Deborah Lynn Goto, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away from pancreatic cancer on September 1, 2025, at the age of 72. Born on February 14, 1953, (Valentine's Day) to parents Ural A. and Betty Brown in Frankfurt, Germany, she is survived by her husband Michael C., children David (Jennifer), Vanessa (Ryan Arakawa), Jennifer (Shane Mattimoe) and 9 grand- children. Also, brothers Terry Brown (Bona) and Gary, and sister, Linda Notestine, of California. Growing up, she traveled the world with her USAF family living in Germany, Turkey, the Philippines, Texas, and Hawaii. She graduated from Leilehua High School in 1970 and met her husband in the course of working summer nights at the Iwilei Dole Cannery trimming pineapples. With their growing family and employment relocation they built their first home in Kihei, Maui (17 yrs) before moving to Lihue, Kauai (25 yrs) in 1993. While raising children Debbie was actively involved with Boy Scouting on Maui and Ballroom Dancing on Maui and Kauai among other things. To make ends meet she worked for various tourist-related retail businesses, including Crazy Shirts, Elephant Walk and Island Heritage. She enjoyed meeting and talking with people. Ocean cruising with family and friends became a recurring activity. Her favorite cruise was the Panama Canal - traversing both directions. Her cancer was unexpected and her subsequent death 10-months later left a vacant spot in the hearts of so many. She awaits her husband, inurned, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific - Punchbowl. In our hearts, forever.