Darlene Ann Bensmiller

Darlene was the first born of five children to Thomas & Lorna Tubman in Prince George, BC.

Her Father passed at a young age and she and her four siblings were raised by her mother in Kelowna, BC.

After high school graduation, Darlene pursued a nursing degree at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops BC, graduating in 1967 and taking her first nursing position at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

In 1970, in Vernon, she met her future husband, Darrel. It was love at first sight. After two weeks courting they were engaged, and then they were married a quick 3 months later, on July 31, 1970. They lived for a few years in Prince George where they became a family of four with the addition of a son, Donavin, and a daughter, Deanna.

They moved back to Kelowna in 1976 where Darlene worked as an operating room nurse at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) for over 30 years.

Darlene was a dedicated wife and mother involved with many avenues of volunteer work including activities that her children attended.

Darlene enjoyed yearly winter trips to Mexico with her husband and spent most summers camping. She always enjoyed hosting seasonal family gatherings & lounging poolside at her Kelowna residence. She spent many hours cross-stitching and quilting. She enjoyed gifting her handcrafted items to those she admired and cared deeply for.

After her retirement from KGH Darlene continued her passion for volunteering with the Salvation Army, CMHA, The Kelowna Cancer Clinic Masons driving program, Trinity Baptist Church and the Kelowna Senior Centre.

One of her favourite volunteer positions was alongside her mother and daughter during the festive holiday season, helping with the Salvation Army kettle campaign.

She is survived by her dear husband Darrel, her son Donavin (Kathy), her daughter Deanna (Thad), her four grandchildren, Dresden, Rochelle, Ella and Parker, her sister Ellen (Len), brothers Tom, Cary (Debbie) and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Thomas and Lorna and her sister Elsie (Bill).

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

[For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.]

Amen.

Matthew 6:9-13

Darlene’s Celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11am. Please contact [email protected] for service details.

In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made in Darlene’s name to The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign.

‘Love you to the moon and back!’

God Bless You