October 27, 1948 – April 12, 2022
at the age of 73 years:
Her Journey’s Just Begun
Don’t think of her as gone away,
her journey’s just begun,
Life holds so many facets,
this earth is only one,
Just think of her as resting,
from the sorrows and the tears,
In a place of warmth and comfort,
where there are no days or years,
Think how she must be wishing,
that we could know today,
How nothing but our sadness,
can really pass away,
And think of her as living,
in the hearts of those she touched,
For nothing loved is ever lost,
and she was loved so much.
Darlene passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 12 after a lengthy cancer illness. Darlene is survived by her two daughters Kim and Marni Gibbon; her beloved grandson William Mills; 1 sister Doreen (Gary) Whaling; 2 brothers Dave (Tracey) Millar; and Brian Millar ; 1 sister in law Ann Millar, as well as several nieces and nephews and extended family. Darlene was predeceased by her brother Ron as well as her loving husband of 45 years Thomas Gribbon in 2016.
Darlene came into the world behind her twin brother on October 27th 1948, and was the fourth in a family of five children born to Edith and John Millar. She spent her formative years living on the family acreage and it was there that Darlene developed her love of growing things and making the spaces around her beautiful. Darlene started working at a young age and continued to enjoy the relationships she made through work her entire life. Once she graduated from high school Darlene moved to Calgary and met her husband, Tom Gribbon and together they built an incredible life. Tom was an iron worker and they living all over British Columbia. While on a houseboat trip in 1998 they found a beautiful piece of property overlooking the lake. They build their retirement home and moved into it a short time later. Darlene got a transfer from Surrey to the Sorrento Pharmasave so she could continue working part-time. She loved her job at the dugstore, as well as the people she worked with and for. Darlene and Tom developed several close friendships with their neighbors in Blind Bay and hosted many spirited card games throughout the years. Darlene’s yard was breathtakingly. She had a talent for growing even the most challenging plants and took such pride in the way the yard came alive.
Darlene’s family would like to send a special thanks to her friends who were so supportive to her through her illness especially Val, Nancy, Murray and Joan. There are other incredible friends too numerous to mention but the love she shared was most certainly returned to her through so many of you. At Darlene’s request there will not be a service. Please consider planting something beautiful in her honor.
My Friend, Dar you are my special Friend I’ll be forever grateful to have had you in my life. We worked together and had so many laughs so much fun I was very blessed to have had a visit with you .we didnt say goodbye just till we meet again .You will be with me forever.
Condolences to your family Kim and Marnie,William yourMom,Grammie was a bright light you were very lucky to hav had such an amazing Mom and Grammie .