Darlene Louise Haynes

Darlene Louise Haynes passed away on October 1, 2024, at the age of 68, in Tempe, Arizona. Born on August 28, 1956, in Oxnard, California, Darlene was known for her vibrant and dynamic personality, characterized by her kindness, loyalty, and deep-seated faith. A steadfast believer in the importance of family, she was often described as the "Cool Grandma," cherished for her love of hard rock, contemporary Christian music, and a unique array of films from Star Wars to Walt Disney to Godzilla.

Darlene's educational journey included graduating from Hueneme High School and later attending Mesa Community College, where she studied Horticulture and Computer Drafting. Her professional life was marked by a successful 15-year tenure as a licensed Nurseryperson and Horticulturist with Tiptop/Desert Wind Nurseries, followed by two decades in financial proofreading and typesetting at Bowne Inc., RR Donnelly & Company, and Broadridge Financial Services.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Darlene was an avid participant in a variety of hobbies. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, biking, hiking, and attending sci-fi conventions and auto shows. Her love for outdoor activities was matched only by her dedication to spending quality time with her children and grandchildren. Darlene participated in annual Pat Tillman charity runs for the past 2 decades, with an avid passion for steam punk culture and medieval anachronisms. She had a fun side and lived and breathed ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ as fashion and artistic influences which she shared and passed on with her many loved ones. Darlene was an active member of the Beautiful Savior and Gethsemane Lutheran Churches in Tempe, Arizona, where she was deeply involved in church and community volunteer events.

Darlene is survived by her spouse, Charles Jr.; children, Heather, Carolyn, Nathan, Matthew, and Charles III; 14 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; siblings, Alice, Sue, Kris, and Frederick II; five cherished fur babies; and a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Frederick Ramsdell.

Services to celebrate Darlene's life and the internment of her ashes will be held later after the holidays. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Darlene's memory to HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Tempe, Compassion International, or Extreme Faith Productions in Chandler, Arizona. Darlene's life was a testament to her spirited personality and enduring faith, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.