Darlene Gorman

Darlene Cecelia Gorman, aged 89, died peacefully July 31, 2013 just 4 days before her 90th birthday. She was the wife of the late John Gorman and is survived by their three children: Carol Friedel (Thomas), James Gorman (Pam) and Ross Gorman (Heather), four grandchildren: Andrea Gorman (Walt Brewer), Karen Henderson (Scott), Jonathan Gorman and Elli Gorman and two great grandchildren: Penelope and Christopher Henderson.

Darlene was born in South Dakota in 1923 to the hard-working farming family of John and Mary (Stoltenberg) McDonnell. She had 3 brothers Roy, Leonard and Paul and 4 sisters Marie, Helen, Edna and her twin Arlene--all of whom preceded her.

Shortly after high school Darlene left family and friends to seek adventure and work in the war effort at Boeing in Seattle. She soon met the love of her life, John Gorman, and they were very happily married until his sudden death March 1978, leaving her widowed at 54 with their 11-year old son Ross still at home.

Darlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She had a sharp wit and dry sense of humor that entertained friends and family alike. Darlene wrote poetry mostly for her own enjoyment but would occasionally share her writings with her family. She loved to draw and paint and would frequently show her oil paintings in the local Magnolia art fair. Her late husband, John, was a well-known race car driver in the 1940s and 50s and she was active in contacting his racing colleagues and collecting original materials for donation to the Shoreline Historical Museum for an exhibit on the Playland Aurora Speedway, thus preserving a part of NW racing history.

Her family is grateful for the privilege and gift of being blessed with Darlene as their mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her legacy of love will remain with us forever. The family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to Maria Corbu and John and Anna Danciu of Victoria I AFH for the incredibly loving and tender care they provided Darlene. We also wish to thank the Group Health Hospice team for their wonderful support.

Her memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Saturday, August 10th at 10am. Donations would be welcomed in her memory to: Group Health Hospice, Group Health Foundation, PO Box 34015, Seattle, WA 98124-4015.

Guestbook at harveyfuneral.com