‘Grandma’ passed away on July 20, 2014 at the Kootenay Boundary Hospital after a brave battle with illness. Darlene had beat the odds too many times to count, but her resilience and determination were an inspiration to all who knew her. She was born in Hamilton Ontario in 1941 and lived in many parts of Ontario and Quebec as her father was in the Air Force. She spent much of her childhood on Alumette Island, Quebec and swimming in the Ottawa River. She married her beloved husband, Ernst Schulze in 1963 and afterwards lived and worked in Ontario, Rossland, Salmon Valley and Fruitvale. After a diverse range of jobs, she finally retired from SD23 as a school bus driver.
Darlene was an eternal optimist who loved animals and her many pets over the years. She loved to camp and fish (even in her high heels) and loved to drive. Darlene was also an avid sewer and quilter and member of The Beaver Valley Quilters Guild. A quilt that Darlene had started has been finished by her friends and donated to the Beaver Valley Nitehawks in her memory.
Darlene was predeceased by her parents, Winnifred and Romuald and her brothers Claude and Roger.
She was a compassionate person, dedicated wife, great mother and grandmother. Darlene was severely missed by her husband Ernst. Darlene will be greatly missed by her daughter Angela (Howie), grandchildren Alexandria and Liam, her sisters Elizabeth and Marya, best friend Leora, her cat Panda and many other family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will follow in 2015. Gwen Ziprick of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence by visiting the family’s register at www.myalternatives.ca
As an expression of sympathy your donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada www.kidney.ca would be greatly appreciated.