Darlene Gladys Margaret (Russell) Cole

Darlene Gladys Margaret (Russell) Cole, of Swan River, Manitoba passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 29th, 2017 at the age of 80 years.

Darlene started her life north of Pelly Saskatchewan, in a community known as Maloneck.  She was born on February 5th, 1937 to Wilfred and Winnifred Russell. At an early age, Darlene was taken in to be raised by her grandparents, Harry and Lorena “Jessie” Everett.

Darlene attended and finished her education at the Maloneck School. She completed the course of Practical Nursing from the Chicago Illinois School of Nursing on March 30th, 1962. When Darlene’s grandma passed away on March 23rd, 1963 a short time later her grandfather, Harry, and her moved to Swan River, Manitoba.

Darlene started her waitressing career at Dick’s Café. Within a year Darlene had met Martin Henry Grivell Cole and after a short engagement, they were married at St. Andrews United Church, Swan River on November 10th, 1964. She continued with her waitressing and she loved meeting people from all over; some of which she developed friendships that had lasted for years. Darlene worked at the CV Café, Swan Motor Inn, Tomorrows Inn, Syl’s Cafe, Skyline and Nelson; however, her favourite place that she always talked about was working for the Toy family at the Swan River Bus Depot, which, at that time, was across the street from the Legion Clubroom. The Toy family and her remained friends until the end. She was always writing them and they would write her, or call to check in on her.

One year around 1974-1975, Martin and Darlene boarded a bus and travelled to Mount Forest, Ontario to visit with relatives. She always spoke of the amount of stuff a person can see from the seat of a bus, saying “it was so high up you can see for miles”. The very next day upon returning to Swan River from Ontario they got into their 1974 Plymouth Fury and drove out to Calgary, Alberta. Mom would say that car sure could pass everything on the highway, but a gas station.

On October 25th, 1976, their one and only child Lorena, was born.

Darlene stayed home until Lorena was in school and then went back to waitressing. In 1997 Darlene was diagnosed with a type of cancer that was on one side of her face. She went into Winnipeg and had surgery and radiation and then came back home and went right back to working around the house. She was not going to let cancer get her. She seemed to get busier and her and Martin loved working in their large garden. They were always picking vegetables and selling or giving them away. Every Christmas she would make sure she did a LOT of Christmas baking and would give it away to the older people she knew or ones who were busy and did not have time to bake themselves. If Darlene was not baking she was knitting afghans, baby sweaters, hats or scarves; one year she even made a pair of scarves and hats for all of Lorena’s classmates!

Darlene enjoyed all of her hobbies including baking, gardening, her flowers, bird watching, as well as her love for reading, but the one thing she was known for was her endless letter writing! She would always have letters on the go, and was like, “I got a letter from such and such yesterday, I better write her back today” and she would! Darlene also enjoyed collecting items, such as her approximately 200 records. Her favourite artist was by far Wilf Carter.  

Even though Darlene was busy, she would always have time to play and visit with her grandchildren, William and Rae-lene. They were her pride and joy which, we have been told she bragged about all the time.

Darlene lost her beloved husband, of just a month shy of 45 years, Martin on October 6th, 2009. She never really got over it. Darlene would still work in her garden at the house, but lost all interest in the larger garden they used to keep.

On August 4th, 2016, Darlene moved to the Roblin Crocus Court Personal Care Home, until a bed became available in Swan River. She never really settled in, always wanting to go home to Martin. On April 21st, 2017, Darlene was moved back to the Swan Valley Lodge, where she resided for a week before her passing.

Darlene is surved by her daughter Lorena (Mike); grandson William, granddaughter Rae-Lene; sister Eileen Cole; sister-in-law Polly Foster and Pat Bullock; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Darlene was predeceased by her husband Martin (2009); father Wilfred (1988); mother Winnie (1997); father-in-law Edward (1974); mother-in-law Lily (1979); sister Lorraine Raabel (2011); brother-in-laws Oliver (1998), Victor (1999), Richard (2003), Andrew Pedersen (1998), Albert Foster (2001) and Herman Raabel (2005); sister-in-laws Molly Pedersen (2000) Dorothy Cole (1996) and Louise Cole (1996) as well as all the pen pals from all over the world she has had over the years.

Mother, you will be dearly missed, however I know you and Martin are united together again.