Born to parents Valeria (Hughes) Fekete and Emil P. Fekete in the Old Community General Hospital, on December 1st, 1953.
Though born in Reading, she grew up in the Oley Valley School District, and excelled academically. She was editor of the school newspaper, starred in the class play, and played trumpet in the band.
Darlene graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Elementary education from Millersville University, where she played Piano (her favorite instrument) for the women's chorus. After teaching in the Manheim, Oley Valley, and Reading School District for 20 years, she traded in her chalk and pointer for a spatula and counting tray.
After starting as a delivery girl, she soon took over managing and overseeing RX's at Penn Pharmacy, where she joined me for the next 30 years. We worked side by side in good times and bad. She was the best side-kick at work, and the best partner in life. Darlene became the face of Penn Pharmacy, and many patients still inquire about her to this day.
To say that she was a well-rounded person, just doesn't do enough to describe her. She could hold a conversation with anyone, on any topic, at any time. Her tennis game was adequate; but her ping-pong game was vicious, with an under the leg serve that was quite a distraction. Her love and knowledge of music was unsurpassed. She loved playing her grand piano, and played it well. Listening to good music was her favorite past time, as the sounds flowed through the pharmacy and the house at all times. Her favorites varied from the 60's to classical to a little bit of country, not the mutilated modern music of today.
Darlene loved to travel and experiencing the various cultures, as well as the sights and sounds of other lands. We had 14 great trips over the years, from Egypt, China, and Europe as well.
I have never met anyone with a better work ethic as she, working 9 1/2 hours a day at the pharmacy during the week, while taking care of the house and home. She still had the energy to go for long walks and attend her zumba class in the evenings.
She was not just a pretty face with a beautiful smile, as her intelligence and sense of humor shone through. Her toughness and courage in her battle with cancer, showed how strong a person she was. She spoke the truth even when the truth was painful. There was no phoniness about her, for she was the real deal.
Darlene is survived by her loving husband, Dennis Alsdorf and her sister Valeria Fekete Hutchinson Wilson.
In addition to her parents, Darlene was preceded in death by her beloved children Drew Alsdorf and Megan Alsdorf.
A viewing for Darlene will be held Tuesday, October 4, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Theo C. Auman Inc., 247 Penn St., Reading. A celebration of life service will promptly commence in the funeral home at 12:30 PM. Graveside committal will immediately follow at Berks County Memorial Gardens, 201 Evansville Rd., Fleetwood.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Darlene's memory may be made to Children's Tumor Foundation, PO Box 7247, Philadelphia, PA 19170 and/ or The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 199 Water St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.TheoCAuman.com for the Alsdorf family.
