Darlene Ann Stansley

1939 - 2021

Darlene Ann Stansley

Darlene Ann Stansley passed away on June 10, 2021 at the age of 82.

Darlene--often called Ooie by her family (or "Dar!" by her husband when he wanted to get her attention)--was the ultimate caretaker, pie-baker, and the toughest woman we know. She was born to Edward "Dick" and Betty Creque on March 14, 1939, during an ice storm so severe the doctor almost didn't make it to the house in time to deliver her. She came into this world exactly the same way she lived the next 82 years of her life…on her terms, and without waiting for help from anyone else.

As the oldest of eight siblings raised on the Creque family farm, she demonstrated both her commitment to taking care of family, and her courage in the face of adversity, time and time again. At the age of fifteen she single-handedly saved an entire herd of cattle from a devastating barn fire on her family farm. When asked why she ran into the collapsing structure to save the cows her response was, "Someone had to do it!"

Darlene graduated from Blissfield High School, and Lourdes University. She met the love of her life, Dick Stansley, at Posey Lake, MI, after he purchased a boat and claimed to "love the water" (even though she later found out he couldn't swim a lick!)

Her upbringing taught her the value of hard work, grace in the midst of chaos, and how to make it all look easy, (including raising five "spirited" children.) Whether it was taking a goat to school in the mini-van for show-and-tell, walking out of the grocery store to find her twelve-year-old had (allegedly) taken the car for a joy-ride while she was shopping (ahem, Charles), coming home from a night out to find the babysitter barricaded in the bathroom, or one of the boys covered in head-to-toe salve after being scraped up in a dirt bike accident (again, Charles), she handled it all with unflappable calm.

Her advice, which was often sought, always ended in the same words. "If it makes you happy, that's what you should do".

From big Sunday dinners, to magically putting together a four-course meal in under ten minutes if you happened to stop by unannounced (and even if you weren't hungry), no one left without being fed.

Ooie's love for her family and friends was evident, not only through making sure everyone was well-fed, but by hosting the very best tea parties, attending every sporting event, and taking each of the grandkids on a big trip to show them the world. She enjoyed book club and dinners out with her life-long friends, who all came to appreciate her sense of humor and dedication to helping anyone in a time of need.

Being the matriarch of the Stansley family was no easy feat, but Ooie did it with love, faith, an unparalleled fashion sense, and, when she had to, calling a "heart a heart and a spade an effing spade".

Darlene is survived by her siblings, Tom (Darlene) Creque, Mike Creque, Doug Creque, Carol Abdo (Howard Baldwin), Richard Creque, Mary Kim (Gary) King, and Michelle (Chris) Donnelly; her five children, Rick, Scott, Jeff (Gail), Charles (Tami), and Missy (John) Hogan; her ten grandchildren, Kristin, JT, Branden (Maggie), Scott (Talor), Ryan (Angela), Drew, Cassie, Peter, Boyce, and Annie (Nathan); and four great-grandchildren, Charlie Payne, Sophia, John Maverick, and Niko; along with countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ooie left this life the same way she came into it, on her own terms. (And, appropriately, wearing a shirt that said, "I intend to live forever… so far so good.")

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Richard Boyce Stansley, Sr., (who was technically the head of our family… but we all know who was really in charge.) We'll miss her apple pie (and crushed-ice orange juice) but we're glad they're back together again, watching the races and "reading the ink off the paper."

Ooie and Papa, rest easy knowing that you built something incredible with this family. Because you raised all of us, you know that we'll continue to get into trouble (and out of it), and that we'll also make sure everyone is always well-fed, no birthday is ever forgotten, and that we'll carry your stories, and strength, (and pie recipes) into the future. Your memories and love will live on forever.

The couple will be laid to rest, together, in a private burial service. Please celebrate their incredible lives in your own special way… spending time with family, enjoying a good meal, or stopping to smell the roses. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, or Lourdes University. Online condolences at

www.reebfuneralhome.com