Darlene DeGross

1937 - 2017

Darlene DeGross, 79, of Mill Creek, WA, and Indio, CA, passed away on April 18, 2017, with her devoted husband, love of her life and best friend, Darrell, by her side. Born in 1937 in Outlook, WA, to Bert and Esther Sparhawk, she graduated from W.F. West High School (Chehalis, WA) in 1955 and from Centralia Community College in 1957. She greatly valued education and trained as a medical technologist at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA. After marrying in 1958, Darlene and Darrell chose to raise their family in Marysville, WA, and were living there with young children when she returned to college at Western Washington University to become a teacher. She taught science at Snohomish High School for twenty years and retired in order to enjoy time with her husband, family, close friends, and to volunteer as Gramma Science for the Everett Children's Museum and with the Everett Symphony. Darlene and Darrell spent years travelling various corners of the country and world, eventually going between their homes in Washington and California. She especially loved her gardens, working in her son's restaurant, and caring for her family. It is her love that she showed for others and her intelligence, class, and uncompromising strength of character that will be remembered. She is survived by Darrell, and children, Tim, Michael, Tiffany and husband, Alan Coleman, grandchildren, Dane and Brenna; sister, Bonnie Unzelman; and her beloved Cairn, Sophie In lieu of flowers to the family, please make a donation to an Animal Shelter or Rescue of your choice.