Darlene Myra Ann Gropp

Darlene was born on September 9, 1961, in Williams Lake, the daughter of Charles and Winnifred, and the adopted daughter of Marvin and Marie.

Darlene worked as an insurance broker at the Aldergrove Credit Union, for many years, before going on to become a financial planner. She stopped working after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2007. Against all odds, she survived this and fully recovered, with only short-term memory loss. She would tell anyone who would listen about her insurance career, but being a mom and wife is what truly fed her soul.

Darlene was devoted to the life she had built her husband and children and would say that being a mom is why she was put on this earth. Her daughters, nieces, nephews, and their friends were all impacted by her passion and creativity. From money cakes and piñatas at birthday parties, to freshly baked bread (always the colour of the upcoming holiday), to crafts and adventures, she would do whatever it took to make growing up special. She loved children and wanted so badly to be a grandma. When little Lyla decided at the age of 4 that she was now Grandma Dar and no one could tell her differently, it helped filled a space in Dar’s heart.

Darlene was a member of the Aldergrove Legion. It meant a lot to her, and she would speak of her dad’s past military service with pride. Over the years, she often attended Sunday breakfast at the legion with her husband, children, and family.

Darlene loved the outdoors, going for drives, working in her garden, hunting, and fishing. The cabin she built with Alex and their friends was her favourite place to be. She always said that music soothes the soul; when Cam came to the hospital with his guitar to play live for her one last time, you could tell she heard it. She will never be forgotten for her kind heart, loving soul, generous nature, and of course her cooking.

Remaining to cherish Darlene’s memory are her children, Joelene, Keshia (Aaron), and Darby (Brandon); adopted grandchildren, Lyla and Liliana; mothers, Marie and Lydia; brothers, Russell (Sharlene), Derek (Leanne), Bernie (Cathy), Gunther (Janice), Brian (Karin), and Ernie (Laureen); sisters, Sharon (Bob), Rita (Glenn), and Judy (Don); nieces and nephews, Jenny, Marvin, James, Shelby, Noah, Olivia, Emma, Dawn, Jeff, Phil, Tara, Nick, Dylan, Denae, Mitchel, Kyle, and Amanda; and many more friends and family.

Preceding Darlene in death is her beloved husband, Alex; parents, Charles, Winnifred, Marvin, and Gunther; brothers, Chuck and Allan; sisters, Margaret, Helen (Jack), and Eileen (Glenn); niece, Sarah; and all others that held a space in her heart and left this world too soon.

Memorial donations in Darlene’s memory may be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society.

A celebration of life will be held at the Aldergrove Legion, on the afternoon of Saturday, May 2, 2026; please reach out to Joelene for more details. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Darlene’s life.

Condolences can be sent by clicking on the Show Your Support link at the bottom of this page.

The family would like to thank everyone who came to say goodbye and help support and care for Darlene and her girls during her final days. She was only able to speak to or acknowledge some of you, but all of you meant the world to her.

Dar was a fighter right up until the end, she is finally with Alex, riding on the back of that Harley, with the exhaust setting off car alarms as they fly by. As she would say, we’re here for a good time, not a long time. And from Alex, it ain’t over ‘til the Fat Boy sings.