Martin Mortuary
Darlene Mae Lewis passed away peacefully, age 98, at her home on February 13, 2025. She was born in a sod house at Beecher Island, Colorado, to George and Hazel Strangways on Dec 19, 1926. After attending country schools, she graduated from Wray High School in 1945. In 1946, Darlene ventured to Denver with two friends and found employment as an accounts payable clerk with Morey Mercantile. Her picture, in the interest of selling cookbooks for her employer, appeared in the Denver newspapers.
In 1948, Darlene met Air Force airman Al Lewis, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas in Denver, and they were married on May 7, 1950. Soon after came children and home ownership. Darlene was proud of her role as mother and homemaker. She held many positions as a volunteer with various organizations. In 1962 the family joined the Community Reformed Church in Perl-mack, Colorado.
In 1965, the family moved into a new home designed by Darlene, at 8240 Zuni St, Denver. Co. Also, that year she was a counselor for the Billy Graham Crusade. Later, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Darlene and Al served the Mariners as Skippers and later the Continental Divide District Mariners as Pursers.
In 1984, Darlene and Al became avid square dancers in the Orphan Squares club. They enjoyed 20 years of meeting and dancing with square dancing friends throughout the United States, Australia, England, and the Netherlands.
In 1992, Darlene and Al moved to Grand Junction, Colorado to be closer to family. Darlene designed the home in which she and Al resided. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Darlene served as Deacon and as a counselor for Stephen Ministries.
She had an intense interest in family history which resulted in researching, writing, and publishing three books titled "Journal of a Journey on Earth".
Darlene was preceded in death by son, Lelon, and infant daughter, Anne Estelle. She is survived by husband Al; brother, Malcolm Strangways (Lorina); sister-in-law, Darlene Strangways; daughter, Lynn Meek (Garry); son, Lance (Sheri) and grandchildren, Tera Vigil (James Caviness), Zane Meek (Liz), Nathanial Lewis (Kelly), Kean Bliss (Nathan), Marina Lewis, and Sierra Lewis; great-grandchildren, Jarrod Meek (Sarah), Savanna, Corben, Alex, Lexie, Sophia, Pyka, and Madison; and great-great grandchild, Peyton.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Darlene at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 21, at First Presbyterian Church, 3940 27 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Grand Junction HopeWest Hospice.
LINKS
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
http://www.gjsentinel.com
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