Darlene Lorraine Sousa

Portland- Darlene Jones Sousa, 34, of Long Island and Westbrook Maine, passed away on August 11, 2015, while holding her father’s hand. Darlene fought a yearlong battle with cancer, and peacefully slipped from this life to the next. Darlene was born in Portland, on May 10, 1981 to her loving parents, Kris and Jovan Jones. She was a very special person who was loved by many. A 2000 graduate of Portland high school, she went on to earn her associates degree in hotel management from Southern Maine Community College in 2004. Darlene worked at the YMCA in Portland as a child care associate, where she discovered her love for children. In her spare time she enjoyed doing crafts, knitting, baking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She is survived by her loving husband John Sousa , of Westbrook, her parents Kris and Jovan Jones, of Long Island, her grandparents Lloyd and Beverly Jones “Nanny & Papa” of Long Island, Janet Rich “Grammy Janet” of Portland and Leon Tellinghuisen “Papa T.” of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Aunts and Uncles, William & Julie Neily “Auntie Julie, & Uncle Bill”, of Gorham, Jay Tellinghuisen “Uncle Jay” of Portland, Jennifer Connors “Auntie Jen”, of Cornville, & James Connors “Uncle Jamie” of Portland, her family in-law, Bill & Terry Sousa, of Gorham, Charlotte Sousa of Rhode Island, cousins, Kristopher & Tristan Neily, Molly & Lindsey Gillis, & Jamie Van De Graaf, as well as many others of her extended Long Island family.

Darlene’s family would like to thank the staff of Mercy Hospital for their loving and gentle care of her, and to all those who contributed to her fight against this disease.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 12:30 pm at the VFW Hall on Long Island. Services are under the care of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Darlene’s name to “Changing Tide” 772 Island Ave, Long Island, ME 04050-3208.