May 27, 1949 – September 10, 2026

In the early hours of Thursday, September 10, 2026, Darlene passed away peacefully with her sister Dolores by her side at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Darlene was the fifth child in a family of seven, born on May 27, 1947 in Ste. Rose, Manitoba. She was always so thin. Getting taller but never gaining weight. She attached to me (Dolores, oldest child). I became her second mother. She would cry when I left for any reason and would get me in trouble with our mother, if I left her behind. This carried on into my early teens.

When she was sixteen, Darlene was in Stoney Mountain, Manitoba where our parents had moved because our dad had a job. She attended one day of school and told my mom she didn’t like it and was not going back. Our dad told her that if she did not want to go to school, she had to go to work. She went to Winnipeg and got a job at a dry cleaner. She stayed with our sister Margie until she found her own apartment. She worked at that cleaner for 20 years, until it closed.

Darlene had a variety of jobs that were in different parts of the city. She always rode the bus and on one of her trips she was on a bus when it was in an accident. She was injured on her back. She went on disability and was unable to continue working. She moved into a 55 plus building where she remained until her passing.

Darlene was generous and over the years she shared her home with many family members who came to the city for doctor’s appointments, work or to visit. She had the “home away from home”, for family who were down and out or looking for temporary help.

She was very close to our baby brother Wayne. He spent many visits with her and would practically force her to get in the car and come home to Crane River. Darlene was very nervous as a passenger and would have to be really ill or absolutely need to shop to go out in traffic. Prior to her accident she traveled to places that were on gravel roads. She came to visit me in Cranberry Portage and Hollow Water to see the twins.”

Darlene loved her visits to McDonalds and looked forward to her niece Wenona taking her for hamburger, fries and gravy and coffee with a dash of cold water.

Darlene loved jewelry, nail polish and shopping when she could move without pain. Her greatest love was enjoying her cigarettes and coffee.

She was my bridesmaid and our connection remained over all these years. It was my privilege to have been with her when she left this world and began her journey. I love you sis; I will miss our daily phone calls.

Please remember what the priest asked you when he gave you your last sacrament, “remember me to our father when you reach your final destination”. So, my dearest sister, please visit me when you get your angel wings and keep me close to you.

Darlene was predeceased by her parents Maggie and Roy Dumas, her brothers Clifford, Irvin and Wayne and her sisters Jane and Margie.

Darlene is survived by her sisters Dolores (Don) and Rosie and her brother Dennis (Pearl) and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and aids that helped make her as comfortable as possible to the end.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Darlene’s memorial page using the comment field below.