Darlene Mae Lewis

Darlene Mae was the name given to the first-born, December 19, 1926, of George and Hazel Mae (Gable) Strangways in the sod house laid up in 1890 by her grandfather Strangways. Henry Fawcus Hamilton Strangways (Harry) had sailed from England to become a prairie settler and took as his wife, Mildred Thompson, whose family came by immigrant train from Michigan. Another daughter, Mildred and two sons, William and Malcolm (although a baby boy and baby girl died of pneumonia) enjoyed a peaceful, plentiful life on the cattle ranch. The children walked a mile along the Arickaree River to school and Sunday School located at Beecher Island Battle- ground (1868) and country store.

Darlene, at fifth grade moved to “town”, Wray, to live with Grandmother along with Mildred. She has enjoyed reunions with her Wray High School class of ’45. She then joined her mother and Malcolm in Rocklin, California and was employed as supply clerk at DeWitt Army Hospital in Auburn. By October she returned to Wray and resumed her job at Fred’s Grocery where she had been a clerk during high school.

January 1946 saw Darlene venturing to Denver with two friends. They took a room at 950 Pennsylvania Street on Capitol Hill and employment at Morey Mercantile, distributor and producer of Solitaire foods. She was happy to be accounts payable clerk, Credit Union secretary, Moryette vice president and bowling team member. Her picture, in the interest of selling High Altitude Cookbooks, appeared in Denver newspapers. She was mentored by one perfect friend, old Mr. Propst. Those years were as valuable to her as any college could have been. She enjoyed the friendship of 26 girls at 950 and later in an apartment with four friends at 1110 Clarkson Street, as they attended YWCA activities and other adventures. She had a lasting friendship with Mary Confer.

Timing of national events stationed numbers of young men at Lowry Air Force Base. One such airman was Albert Lewis of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Darlene was married to Albert on May 7, 1950, at First United Presbyterian Church, 110 E 14th St. and they resided in an apartment she had taken at 1750 Gaylord Street. Their future was bright with her work and his college attendance and work. By September 1952, Darlene was overlarge – she retired. The surprise of her life was in the delivery room December 21st to find a second baby girl would follow the first by three minutes. The babies were delicate – Lynn Adele was in an incubator; Ann Estelle died at 30 hours of life; Lynn would be in NICU for several weeks.

Soon, following the birth of a son, Lelon Albert, on August 15, 1954, and Al had graduated from Denver University, he and Darlene purchased a new home in Derby (now Commerce City). After the birth of a second son, Lance Alan, on March 12, 1957, a larger home was purchased at 8378 Shoshone Street. Darlene loved the mother role and reached out to serve as Blue Bird and Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout den mother and school room mother. Other outside of home duties were volunteer as pink lady at St. Anthony North Hospital and driving cancer patients.

In 1962, the family joined the Community Reformed Church in Perl-mack. While there Darlene served as Sunday School superintendent and various offices in the Woman’s Guild. Meantime, in 1965, the family moved into a new home designed by Darlene at 8240 Zuni Street, same neighborhood so that life continued as usual. A call for counselors for the Billy Graham Crusade was circulated – Darlene was blessed by the training and time of serving in that great event in June 1965. Later at Westminster Presbyterian Church, she and Al served as Skippers for Presbyterian Mariners, and as Purser for the Continental Divide District Mariners. During those years the family enjoyed unique travel, camping and exploring adventures with friends.

In 1984, Al and Darlene learned to and became square dancers. They became treasurer, then president of Orphan Squares, and on into the state organization serving as National Publicity Chairman. Eventually, 20 years of square dancing led to friends throughout the United States and in Canada, Australia, England, Netherlands, and not to forget to appreciate the benefits to health. Darlene explored some classes at Community College such as philosophy and piano, and other bible study classes.

Leaving the cherished Denver home of the family, in 1992, found Al and Darlene in Grand Junction planning to build a home designed by her. It is at that residence their children Lynn Meek (Garry), Lelon (“Lonnie”) and Lance (Sheri) will recall Darlene and Al’s retired contentment. Darlene became an avid searcher and the writer of family history resulting in books “Journal of a Journey on Earth” (three volumes). Thrilling travel in the interest of family as well as other travel adventures have been a part of their lives. have been a part of their lives. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Darlene served as Deacon and as a counselor for Stephen Ministries.

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 the First Presbyterian Church, 3940 27 ½ Road, Grand Junction, CO, at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Tom Hansen presiding. The family suggests that memorials be made to Grand Junction HopeWest Hospice.