Darlene J. FitzPatrick

Darlene J. FitzPatrick entered into eternal rest on July 31, surrounded by her loving family in Venice, Fl at the Tidwell Hospice House.

She was born Darlene Mc Cray on February 11, 1932 on a small island in the Mississippi River called Beaver Island.  She was born to Dorthea and Joseph McCray and was the youngest of 5 children. She was raised in Clinton, IA where she attended school and graduated from Clinton HS in 1950. Darlene led an exciting life.  She loved travelling and spent much of her adult life travelling both inside and outside of the US.  She lived in many different places, including Nassau and Puerto Rico.  In 1983, she traveled to Europe and toured many countries in Europe with nothing more than a few language books and some road maps.  She had a very adventurous spirit and was wildly independent. 

Her careers have involved the tourism and hotel industry which has allowed her to travel and see so many parts of the world.  When she returned to the Midwest to raise her youngest child, she began working at John Deere and remained there until her retirement in 1988.  During her time at Deere, she was responsible for coordinating large meetings nationwide for the company including the well-known “Farm Progress Show”. After retirement, she returned to John Deere to continue her work and travel to many more places throughout the US.  She had a passion for her career and loved it with all of her heart. She was married to Jim FitzPatrick on August 22, 2006.  After their marriage, they moved to Venice, Fl to live out their senior years with warmth, music and sunshine. Together they would attend many concerts in Venice and were very involved in the many musical events happening in the area. 

Darlene is also a published poet and has shared her love of writing poetry with many members of her family and her many friends.  With her ability to write poetry, and her husband’s musical ability, she and her husband have written numerous songs.  She loved to organize parties and events for the people she loved.  Her family remembers many Christmas celebrations, Easter Egg hunts, swimming parties at her pool, birthday celebrations and even Labor Day celebrations.  She always found a way to make every holiday special.  Darlene loved to dance, attend music concerts for swing and big band music, garden in her beautiful flower beds, and attended the many activities that involved her grandchildren.  She also loved the Cubbies. Darlene was a special mother, grandmother, wife and mother in law.  She has so many family and friends that have loved her so very much and are so thankful for her life. She will be missed terribly.

Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved family: Her husband, Jim, daughter & son in law, Tracey & Cory Miller, Venice FL; grandchildren, Cameron Fleming, Garrett & Rae Miller, Venice FL. Her extended and loving FitzPatrick family including, Tom FitzPatrick, Lori FitzPatrick, Sophie & Shane FitzPatrick, Minneapolis, MN, Greg FitzPatrick, Minneapolis, MN, Jill & Jeff Wallace, Mahomet, IL, Kathy FitzPatrick, Chicago, IL. 

She is also survived by a daughter and son in law, Jodi and Steve Haars, Geneseo, IL, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date, time and date to be announced. 

Memorial donations in her name to be made to Venice Friendship Center.