Darlene Anderson's Obituary
Darlene Humphrey Anderson, 85 years old from Lakewood Washington, peacefully passed away at home on December 19th after a two year battle with ovarian cancer.
Darlene was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 22, 1928 to her beloved late father Isaac Humphrey and her late mother Twila Humphrey. She was the second of six Humphrey children and grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah.
After graduating from South High School in Salt Lake City Darlene began her studies at the University of Utah. World War II separated Darlene and her husband George Daly when their son David was a baby. Their marriage became a casualty of the war.
Darlene earned her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Utah in 1950. She met her late husband Dr. Frederic J. Anderson at the University when he monitored a final exam for a class taught by his aunt, the late Cathryn Andrew. She was thrilled to introduce the couple who later married and lived in Salt Lake City for several years.
Darlene's teaching career began in a small Utah farming community school with three teachers. Each teacher taught two grades, Darlene taught first and second grades. She later moved to Plymouth Elementary where she taught second grade until the Anderson family moved to Lakewood,Washington in 1961. After the move, Darlene maintained that she didn't see the sun for two months because of the constant rain. Fortunately she grew to love the Pacific Northwest and lived here for the next 52 years.
Darlene taught first or second grade at Lake City Elementary and Tyee Park Elementary in Lakewood, WA until her retirement in 1987 after thirty years of teaching. She was a fine teacher committed to bringing the best education she could to her students. She delighted in meeting former students and hearing about their lives as they grew up. Many of Darlene's most important friendships were made through teaching and have remained strong throughout the years.
Accustomed to being busy as wife, teacher, and mother of four children, Darlene didn't miss a beat after she retired. She played golf more often and with more enjoyment than she had before. She traveled to many places with her husband, with her friends through Elder Hostel, and with her children and siblings. She became a stellar gardener enjoying several garden groups and turning her yard into a work of art.
She belonged to many groups through the years including ADPi during college and later the ADPi alumni group, Oakbrook Country Club, AAUW, Retired Teachers, Mary Bridge Orthopedic, Interlaaken Garden Club, and Christ Lutheran Quilting Group. She was interested in her fellow group members and forged strong and rewarding friendships as a result.
Darlene told a good joke, was always busy and productive and made friends where ever she went maintaining many friendships for decades. Her favorite role was grandmother and she has the photo albums to prove it! She was discerning with her time and spent it creating positive memories. She was optimistic, proactive and embraced opportunities to experience new things.
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Frederic J. Anderson; her father Isaac Humphrey, her mother Twila Humphrey; her brother Ronald Humphrey; her brother Marlin Humphrey; and by her sister Geraldine Smith.
Darlene is survived by her brother Donald Humphrey (Mary Jane) of Lincoln, Nebraska; her sister Twila Mae Isaacson (Sam) of Salt Lake City, Utah; her four children David Anderson of Shoreline, Washington; Katie Nova of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Doug Anderson (Mary) of Edmonds, Washington; Michael Anderson (Joan) of Kent, Washington; her grandson Christopher Anderson of Ballard, Washington and numerous nieces and nephews.
What’s your fondest memory of Darlene?
What’s a lesson you learned from Darlene?
Share a story where Darlene's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Darlene you’ll never forget.
How did Darlene make you smile?