Darlene Joyce ZOLLO

ZOLLO, Darlene Joyce Darlene went Home to be with the Lord on Jan. 7, 2013. Just imagine Darlene's surprise and joy when she opened her eyes and saw her Lord Jesus welcoming her home! Darlene was born in Dayton, OH, on June 12, 1946 to Russell & Geraldine Knipfer Esken. She graduated from Stebbins High School in Dayton and worked in banking, for NCR, and as an airline stewardess before moving to Florida in 1981. Darlene worked for Pinellas County Government for the past 30 years. She was a Senior Court Clerk for the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Criminal Justice Center in Clearwater. Darlene had an extraordinary way of making everyone she met feel like they were her special friend. She was blessed with the gift of discernment; knowing just when, what and how to share with people what the Bible states is the only way to Heaven. Her life's verse was Revelation 3:20, which speaks of Jesus "knocking on your heart's door" just waiting for you to ask Him in. Darlene is survived by her husband and soul mate of 23 years, Doug; daughters, Patty McCormick and Lesa (David) Bird; sons, Michael (Dana) Zollo, Jonathan (Michele) Zollo and Jason Zollo; 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; mother, Hazel Esken; brothers, Russell (Judy) Esken, Gary (Carmen) Esken, Rick Branch; sisters, Sandy Holmes, Karen (Scott) McDorman, & Kim Carter. Darlene had a talent for embroidery & created many tree skirts & Christmas stockings for friends and family. She would transfer pictures onto fabric and then, by hand, one stitch a time, fill them in with great detail. It took her hundreds of hours to do just one tree skirt. Darlene was an avid collector of Precious Moments figurines and had a business for a while called the Plaster Palace offering ceramic figurines which customers could paint or Darlene would paint for them. She loved Christmas and her gift wrapping was a work of art. Darlene was known for her hugs and taking the time to listen and pray with friends, relatives & co-workers. Darlene would visit hospitals and prisons to share the gospel with perfect strangers. In the courtroom, when a judge would request a file from her, she would often reply, "for a dollar"! Her warm, loving personality will be missed by all that knew her. She has left a huge hole in our hearts. A celebration of Darlene's life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 at 2 pm, at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, 12156 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 34644. Wear something "purple" (for Darlene) and be prepared for an uplifting service. Expressions of comfort may be expressed at caringbridge.org. Donations can be made to M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX for stem cell transplant research.