Darlene Irvin
June 14, 1935 ~ October 7, 2016
Resided in:
Fremont, CA
Darlene Irvin, 81
Darlene Irvin, aged 81, died peacefully on Friday, October 7, 2016 in family hospice after a struggle with cancer. Darlene was born June 14, 1935 in Concho, OK, the daughter of Benny and Lena Gosney.
Growing up, Darlene thoroughly enjoyed dancing of all types, especially tap dancing. As an American Indian, she enjoyed dancing in full Native American costume, mastering several Indian dances and also starring in her father's entertainment troupe 'Benny's Boys' as the featured dancer.
In 1956, Darlene married the love of her life William J. (Bill) Irvin, Jr. Bill entered the Air Force to train as a pilot shortly after they married and worked his way up to the rank of Captain before retiring from the service in 1966 and moving the family to Milpitas, CA later that year. Bill then began a long career at Lockheed in Sunnyvale, finally retiring from working life in 1994.
In addition to raising their five children, Darlene volunteered at Martin Murphy Elementary School in Milpitas as a 'blacktop monitor', watching over and assisting the children while they played during lunch breaks. She later took a job at the local K-Mart once all her kids were older and had moved out of their home.
Darlene and Bill were parishioners of St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Milpitas until they moved to Salem, OR in 1995 where they regularly attended St. Edward's Catholic Church in Keizer. In November of 2005, Bill lost a hard-fought battle with cancer, as Darlene stayed by his side nursing him in her home, with hospice care, until the end.
Darlene's family and friends were her primary passion. She loved them deeply and completely and relished visits from her sons and daughters and her grandchildren.
Darlene is survived by her sister, Sonja, her daughter Catherine, her sons William III, Steven, Michael and Timothy, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a number of other relatives and close friends.
There will be a private graveside service for immediate family members at the Rest Lawn Cemetery in Salem, OR on Monday, October 17.
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So sorry to hear of her passing. She was always a lovely woman whenever I spent time at her home with her children or when I would see her when she was at work in Milpitas.
As a young girl Cathy was my first best friend outside of cousins. Mrs. Irvine welcomed me in the home and quickly became my second mom. She helped Cathy and I while learning to cook. We attended church on Sunday’s and I was always treated as one of her own kids. She will always hold a piece of my heart. My heartfelt condolences go to the family.