Darlene Lowman

Born January 27, 1933 in Pekin, she was the daughter of Italian immigrants, Lawrence A. and Lucrezia (Colledani) Ghidina. She married Donald Wayne Lowman on August 26, 1950 in Bloomington. He died March 26, 1992. She also was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Norma LaBarr and Mary VanDyke; two brothers, August Ghidina and Lawrence “Jr.” Ghidina and a son-in-law, Wiley Holmes.

Surviving are her daughter, Carol (Donald) Oltman, a grandson, Justin Wayne (Jen) Holmes; a granddaughter, Jessica Darlene (Stephen Miller) Holmes and great-grandsons, Mason Miller, Alexander Holmes and Antonio Holmes; two sisters, Lucy Murphy and Pauline Filarski; one brother, John Ghidina and lifelong friend, Kay (Cissi) Cook. She also leaves two sister-in-laws, Marilyn Ghidina and Margaret Lowman; several step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Darlene attended Pekin schools and was of the Catholic faith. She was a homemaker and in her later years worked at C.B. Smith Primary School with the latch key program from 1998 to 2005.

She was a longtime member of the Italian American Women’s Club and volunteered for many activities held there. She also was a caregiver for her mother for several years. Darlene was an excellent cook and took great pride in preparing Italian dishes. She loved the outdoors, taking care of her yard and tending to her flowers. She was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and the Chicago Bears. She also enjoyed traveling, country music, hockey games and NASCAR racing. Spending time and playing cards with her many friends was one of her pleasures. Holidays and family meals were very important to her, especially the conversations and laughter that was shared. Her greatest pleasure was time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandsons. She was always happy to lend a helping hand with their caretaking. They took many vacations together and have many memories to cherish.

She was very proud of her Italian heritage. She was blessed to travel to Italy several times with her mother and family members to meet relatives in Forni di Sotto, Italy. Her last trip to Italy included her mother, daughter and grandchildren. We thank her for the sunshine, love and laughter she brought into our lives.

Her memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Visitation will be from 2 to 3:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Cremation will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 4722 North Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61614 or to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

Darlene’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff on the neurological floor at OSF St. Francis, Illinois Cancer Care and Riverview in East Peoria. We also would like to give a very special thank you to Hallmark House and Passages Hospice for their loving care and compassion in her final days.

Famiglia e’ la patria del cuore