Darlene Lawona Clark

Darlene Lawona Clark returned to her eternal home on November 10, 2018 on her 80th birthday. What a celebration there must have been as she reunited with those she loved and missed so dearly. Her life was defined by her love for her family and she leaves a legacy example of how to love for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.

Darlene was born on November 10, 1938 to Leonard Cook and Leah Green Cook at Ogden, Utah. She joined her 9-year-old brother, DuWayne who loved his role as her older brother with a sibling bond that lasted a lifetime. She and her family moved to Great Falls, Montana where the family owned a cattle ranch. She loved animals and raised award winning 4H calves. Her family lived far away from other children, so animals became her playmates and friends, sparking her lifelong love of animals. Later in Darlene’s adult life she was united with her half sister Narva and cherished the short time they shared life as sisters.

She married H. Ray Layton June 7, 1956 in the Cardston, Alberta Temple and began her dream life as a loving and dedicated wife. After a whirlwind honeymoon to the newly opened Disneyland, they made their first home in Great Falls, Montana. Ray ran the night shift in the mortuary and throughout her lifetime, Darlene shared lively stories of their life lived above the mortuary. Later, the happy couple lived in Provo and American Fork while Ray was attending BYU.

In 1957 they welcomed their first daughter, Vickie and in 1959, Tammy joined their perfect family. After graduation, Ray was hired by McDonald Douglas and the family moved to Garden Grove, California where they bought their first home with a swimming pool and close enough to hold annual passes to the Happiest Place On Earth. They spent sunny days swimming, camping and dancing and were beyond joy in 1966 when Debbie joined their family. Always wanting a son, DuWayne became the apple of Darlene’s eye when he arrived in 1967. Ray and her children were the light of her life and her dedication as a wife and mother exemplified the teachings of her rich faith as a daughter of God. Her beloved husband, Ray passed away 6 September 1983.

Darlene was a master cake decorator and owned the Cake Palace Bakery with her family and enjoyed sharing her artistic talents. It was there she met Gilbert A. Clark who she later married in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on September 29, 1984. With delight and open arms, she welcomed two new sons into her family. Gary (age xx) and Kenneth, a bubbly energetic 4-year-old. Darlene was overjoyed at having her new 4-year-old son and always considered Gary and Ken her own. She was always ready for the next adventure. Between raising children in high school and preschool, she found time for square dancing, skiing and touring the state with a Corvette Club in their xxxx Corvette.

At Darlene’s retirement, she moved from California to Las Vegas in 2000 and carefully selected the perfect home to become a favorite gathering place for her children and grandchildren who enjoyed visiting and swimming in Grandma’s pool. Darlene welcomed family and friends far and wide into her home and made it “the place to be” for everyone. Darlene served as a temple worker in the Las Vegas temple and was devoted to her church calling preparing for each Sunday meeting as the greeter at the chapel. She knew every member and their children by name and loved and cared for each of them. She developed great friends in Las Vegas, and enjoyed the warm, sunny weather, her home, her yard, the parks and her ward.

Darlene loved living in Las Vegas, and reluctantly moved to Utah in 2016 to be closer to Gil, who was in assisted living in Orem, and to be closer to her daughters, Vickie and Debbie. She settled in a lovely neighborhood in Pleasant Grove with wonderful neighbors who quickly became great friends.

Darlene was a woman of great strength and was energized by her independence and doing as much as she could, as often as she could. She rejoiced in sharing in the lives of her children and grandchildren and taught them love by example. She celebrated every holiday in showcase style and found her greatest happiness when sharing her celebrations with others. Whether it was enjoying a movie or being the last person out the main gate at Disneyland every year, Darlene loved life and all it had to offer.

When most people were ready for bed, Darlene could be heard to say, “What are we going to do now?”

Her most recent beloved moments were found in the (XXXX) canyon on Sunday evenings surrounded by her family for dinner and joining her daughters in holiday celebrations. She never let a day pass that she did not take her beloved dogs for a walk or attend to their needs. She expressed gratitude daily for the care and love extended to her by her children, grandchildren and friends; unfailing throughout her lifetime. Her children are blessed to enrich their own families by the honor they describe as having been taught by a perfect mother.

Darlene treasured life in large and small ways and after a year of recurrent illness, passed away peacefully on her 80th birthday, November 10, 2018. For all who loved her here and those loved ones awaiting her there, the surprise party stretched from earth to heaven.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husbands, Ray and Gil, her sister Narva and her brother DuWayne. She is survived by her 6 children, 30 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and her two well-loved dogs.

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