Amiga querida un año sin ti, ha sido difícil.
Te extrañamos mucho.
Siempre en mi corazón hermana.
eternamente agradecida por tu cariño y amor hacia mi familia.

Well I do not know where to start, Darlene and I met back in 1987 when I moved to town. We became great friends and neighbors right from the start. we have so so many wonderful memories with her and Bill, to many to share, she was such a super friend and loved life! When I needed anything, she was always there for our family, teaching the girls to play piano. And me to garden. I still have and use many of the recipes she has shared with me. One in particular is her brownie recipe, my granddaughter and I made just last week. I miss her terribly and hope she is at peace.
Love you dear friend

It's been just over a year since you left us, and I think about you all the time. I wish we had more time together, but saddly that's not the way things happened. You left us all with so many loving memories, and that's what I focus on to turn tears into a smile.

Love you lot's, and wish you were here,

Dave

It is hard to believe that it has been a year ago today when Darlene left us. Darlene's ashes were laid to rest in jaltemba bay on Jan. 10.
Some of the Family that was able to make it down to Mexico. Dave & Nic, Dwight, Dan & Angie, German & Estela, Valeria, and Mariana.
Darlene always said she was a true Pisces. She loved the water. Dolphins were her favored to see on the ocean. She always remembered fondly her swim with the Dolphins.
Life is not the same without her. I thank her for the memories. I will carry them with me always 

Mom, I can't believe it's been one year since we lost you.

I miss you so deeply. You're love and hugs, your laugh and sense of humour, your whole person. I wish I could have even just one more moment with you.

All my love,
Nicole

Hi Bill was talking to Noelle today and she told me about Darlene my deepest sympathies for the family remembering our bowling days and days spent with you guys. Was good times for sure. Good memories. RIP Darlene. 

Darlene was so truly unique. Her loving spirit, generous soul and determination I've never seen before.
I'm going to cherish every moment i was lucky enough to spend with you. From the very first day i met you, i was welcomed into the family with open arms. I'm happy i was able to have you as my Grandma.

I loved those random memories of Darlene that made me smile. I loved our little visits on my walks with Luchi and hearing Villas news or about a project Darlene was thinking about or working on. I enjoyed learning about the different plants and trees in her yard. Darlene was a dear friend with a joyful personality ~ Norm and I will miss Darlene, but our memories will last forever!

I'm writing this with a heavy heart and disbelief that my mother-in-law has passed away. She was an amazing person filled with love, kindness, and a zest for life. I met her about 8 years ago, and was treated like family from the very beginning.

I'm going to miss our conversations over a couple of shots of tequila. We’d talk about things from the best mayonnaise to politics, but our opinions were always debated, and respected. Mom was always passionate and out spoken about what she believed in. That was something I loved about her, you never had to read between the lines. 

I’ve never met anyone who knew more about the BC Lions, and thoroughly enjoyed watching them play. I would’ve loved to see her at a hockey game, but the warm weather of Mexico would take hold so early into each season.

She was an amazing cook, with so much knowledge about cooking, baking, and canning. Every meal was something new, well at least to me. I’m grateful for learning what I could from her, but very sad that there was so much more to learn, and not enough time.

There was always a smile, a laugh, and a big hug every time we met. She had a knack at making everyone feel welcome to her home, and anything in it.

I sit here writing, still in disbelief, with tears in my eyes wishing that I could see her again. Although that’s not possible I will cherish my time that I spent with her, and the wonderful memories she created for us all. 

Gone, but never forgotten.

Love you always, Dave

Andy & I are your neighbors.Sorry we didn't get to know you longer but we do miss and enjoyed your friendship.
So, happy we had you and Bill over for Thanksgiving last year.
I am happy I got to go to Mexico and see you there as well.
Our condolences to you Bill and family.
Andy & Mildred

Dear Darlene,

I see a women who knew how to make people feel welcome and loved, a woman who was generous with her attention, a woman who was no nonsense and a woman who was amazing at sharing who she really was with others. You were also GREAT at giving ((hugs))! I know you and Nicole (my sis-in-law) are very alike in all the good ways! I will miss the times that we might have had, but I will cherish the times that we did have. With love to all your family, Gail + Richard Hazell xox

Darlene, Don and I will miss you very much. We have known you since you have been at Villas and enjoyed our visits, trips, dinners, etc. with you and Bill. 
Your enthusiasm was enjoyed by us as well as your friendship.

Rest in Peace. You will be forever missed.

Our sincere condolences to Bill and the rest of your family.

Love, Donald and Betty Little

We will remember Darlene as a friendly, welcoming neighbour to all who knew her. Always a smile and offering help to anyone in need. She will be truly missed by so many. Our sincere condolences to you Bill and all your family. John and Gloria

Darlene and Bill were neighbors in Mexico, great neighbors!! Darlene was involved in the community on our development. She knew everyone on the mountain and was friends with all. She brought the feeling of kindness and friendship with her wherever she went. Rest in peace Darlene!!

As we say farewell to Darlene, it is with many a happy memory of those years we spent as close friends and neighbours in Mexico. Ever fun, ever thoughtful, ever caring, she was a huge asset to our community. We shall always remember the passion she brought to all she undertook, and the passion she inspired in all those close to her. Her meticulous house, her love of her garden, and her joie de vivre are a lasting legacy we will long remember and forever cherish.
Thank you for everything you have done for us all.

I am Bill's oldest sister.
When my son was young he loved spending summers at the farm. He especially liked the pool they put in, and of course the baby calves,Feeding the chickens and collecting eggs
Yes Darlene was a farmer.
On mom's 40th wedding anniversary 1984. Darlene planned a big family reunion for all nine of us kids and their families. A lot of work but she loved every minute of it.
I moved to West Kelowna just over a year ago to happily discover that I lived in walking distance of their new home.
We are all in shock. I can't believe your gone. When I drop in and have coffee with Bill I see you everywhere.
Sending love and prayers to my brother and his family.

Who was Darlene ??

Unfortunately, we only met Darlene later in our lives, but we quickly realized on our very first meeting, what kind of person she was......she was genuinely outgoing, loving, kind, fun to be with, and always ready to have a good laugh .....and not to forget her talent in the kitchen.

We saw her as a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and friend, but we feel so sad that she did not get to enjoy being a Great Grandmother to little Ziah.
Oh, how she would have loved that !!

When Nicole & Dave became a couple, she right away took us in as Family, and made us feel like Family. We were both so looking forward to having She and Bill as In-laws in the years ahead, but I guess that was not to be. However, we do look forward to having those times with Bill.

She and Bill loved their Mexico, and the warmth that it offered during the cold winters of Central BC, and they made many close friends down there, both Mexican and Canadian.

Sadly, we only enjoyed those few times together, Darlene, but we will remember them well, as we will cherish your memory, now that you have unexpectedly, and tragically left us.

We will miss you, Dear Darlene,
With All Our Love,
Phyl & Noel

I remember you taking a picture of my son pushing NICs doll buggy. That was a long time ago now. 
How about those turkeys you raised and the one we got just about didn't fit in the roaster? 35 lbs!! 
You telling us about your visits to La Penita and wanting to build a house.
Seeing you just a year ago and helping us with a shower rod. 
Even though we didn't see you often it was so wonderful to run into you and know that our visits seemed like it was just yesterday that we had talked and laughed.
May you rest in peace Darlene.
Love from Mavis and Mike Holoiday

Oh Darlene. . .where do I begin. . .
I had the privilege of knowing this warm hearted, sincere woman for 11+ years. Of course, like many, I first met Darlene in Mexico, as her and Bill were chalk-lining the area of their new Mexican casa, right next to us. We were so excited to be getting neighbors.
It's difficult to imagine going back to Mexico, without that warm smile, open arms and hearty hug to greet me, as she did every year.
I will always remember Darlene for those amazing aromas coming from her kitchen. She was always the first store I would check out, when needing just that one simple ingredient. There wasn’t much Darlene didn’t have, either in her pantry, or growing on the patio. No matter what, Darlene was always there for me. . . She was my sounding-board and never seemed to tire of my “WOES”.
Until we meet again, I will ALWAYS remember you and SADLY miss you. R.I.P. my dearest friend. 
Condolences to you, Bill, and the entire family.

We had the priviledge of knowing Darlene only a very short time. She was loving, warm and welcoming and a straight shooter which we loved. Darlene was always fun and quick to laugh and had a big smile on her face. We will miss that smile and her vibrant personality. God bless you, Darlene ❤

Well Darlene, we are so thankful for the many adventures we have shared in our travels together--Acapulco- Guayabitos - Los Ayala - houseboat on Shuswap! The last two summers you guys were busy selling you home and getting another and then came Covid and our "worlds" changed. But you were still able to spend time with Baby Ziah. For this too we are thankful! With all our  memories Darlene - as Clark says- you are not gone--just away!!! 

The first time I really spent some time with Darlene and Bill was in Mexico. They hosted a wonderful happy hour party for the neighborhood one of the first times I visited my parents at their new to them Mexico casa. Darlene was very welcoming to me and my family. I looked forward to seeing her every year we went to Mexico. When we held a fundraiser at the Bennett Estates of course Darlene and Bill were there to support us. It was so great to see them in Canada! I will miss our yearly visits and catching up on what’s so going on. Darlene loved to chat. She was tons of fun.

Like Darlene I too loved the weather and beauty in Mexico. I loved their amazing gardens and interesting and functional back yard! Their flowers were one of the first thing I was excited to see when we arrive at the villa.

We will miss her dearly. Our heartfelt condolences to Bill and family. Big hugs and love from the Zaseybida-Sweet gang ❤️

Darlene, thank you for so much love, Thank you because you gave me part of your heart, thank you because you became my family. I love you.

Darlene was a great friend who we will miss more than words can express. She will always have a special space in my heart. She was a friend you could always count on, always have fun with and always learn from. She motivated me with her constant smile and enthusiasm and could always see a positive side of any situation. I am so blessed to have had you as my friend and will never forget you Darlene. I pray we will meet again someday in another place.
Susan

Mom, I wish I'd had more time with you. Although I know I could never have had enough. I admire and love you so deeply. Thank you for the years we had together and all the fun and love you shared with me. You are my inspiration.
Always, Nic

Darlene, I always admired your determination in everything you did. Loved calling you Martha. You were such a good cook, gardener, decorator. Grateful to have been your neighbour in Mexico. Condolences to your family.