Darlene M. Dwyer

Darlene is survived by her daughters’ Deborah Davison (Tampa, Florida) and Tammie Wallace (“Darryl Wallace, Sr.”) (Tampa, Florida) and son Thomas Dwyer (Kissimmee, Florida).

She is survived by her grandchildren, Tylene Geier Gatewood (Jon Traver), Tanya Crawford (Christopher Crawford), Marie Harrison Geier (Nicholas Harrison), Ashley Speak (Christopher Speak), Richard Geier (Korina Geier), Allie Davison, Meghan Davison, Chelsea Davison, Caitlyn Davison, Joshua Robison, Isabelle Dwyer, Darryl Wallace, Jr., Azaryia Wallace, Annmarie Dwyer and Rachel Dwyer, as well as 22 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her father, John Kolasch, mother, Freida Tueth, two brothers, Robert and Walter Kolasch and her first child, her daughter, Julie Geier (husband Richard Geier) of Dover, Florida.

From a very young age, Darlene worked hard and diligently to take care of her children predominantly alone. She was known as a very strong, independent, sarcastic and beautiful lady with the prettiest green eyes and red hair. She worked hard her entire life to succeed and pushed those around her to be all they can be and to work hard and challenge themselves. She was hardest on those she loved because she knew that nothing is free… success and stability is earned by doing better each day, saving your money and surrounding yourself with family and friends who love you.

She was lovingly known as a former “Weeki Wachee” mermaid (she never did learn to swim). Her love of Elvis was evident with all of her memorabilia and mementos (especially Christmas tree ornaments, old vinyl and her beloved Elvis table lamp}. She always dreamed of visiting Graceland and Dollywood but never made the trips.

She was affectionately known as “pretty granny” to her family and friends after she became a grandmother for the first time at the young age of 32. It became part of her life as she even had her license plate with the nickname displayed. Then later when more grandchildren were born and couldn’t say granny, and it came out “wee wee”, she then became “wee wee” to the younger grandkids. She loved defying being normal. Her love of wearing daisy duke “shorts” and halter tops was her signature look and she wore them well.

She worked as a server/waitress for many years (and was very good at it), until she was hired on with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office in the food services division. Throughout her 19 year career with the Sheriff’s Office, she worked in various departments until she became a CSO (Community Service Officer), often working the front lobby of the Orient Road and Falkenburg Road jails, where she enjoyed working with her peers, law enforcement and the public. She was highly regarded for her professionalism, ability to solve problems, hard work and dedication to her position and supervisors. After she retired from the Sheriff’s office, she continued to work part time for Aramark Food Services and Facilities Management processing inmate orders for food, snacks, books and other items, until the end of 2024.

Darlene loved each year as the holidays rolled around, as she was always hopeful to get a visit from one of her favorite “former” Majors’ from the Sheriff’s office would drop by with his ginger bread people that she loved and framed and enjoyed watching her collection expand.

She was a regular at the local neighborhood 7-11 convenience store, as she would stop almost daily to get herself a vanilla cappuccino and socialize with the owner of the store, his wife and their children. She always encouraged them to start the kids’ saving money and even gave their children a piggy bank and a bit of change throughout the years to get them started and to encourage them to save for their futures.

Her legacy will live forever in those who had the opportunity to know and love this unique, beautiful and intelligent woman.