Darlene Macfarlane

Darlene Macfarlane, age 95, died peacefully in her bed in Washington, Utah, on April 11, 2016, in the company of family.

Born in Richfield, Utah, on August 30, 1920 to Haren "Tiny" and Arvilla Ence Martines, Darlene’s passion for life was evident in everything she did, whether leading a parade, dancing in the street or playing eighteen. She had a distinctive ability to find joy and a reason for celebration in whatever circumstances she found herself.

Adventurous and independent, Darlene married Arthur Samuel Macfarlane in 1939, she earned her private pilot’s license in 1940 and left Richfield in 1941 to live at one time or another in Washington, DC, Hawaii, Florida, Seattle, California, Japan, Kansas, Virginia and London before settling in St. George, Utah. At age 33 she picked up her new Cadillac in Detroit and drove it to Utah alone. Accompanied by two young children, she drove from Florida to Utah, took a train to Seattle and then a ship to Japan to join her husband. Alone and with friends, she traveled extensively in Europe, Russia, China, Canada, and Jerusalem but loved no place as well as the red canyons of southern Utah and the green peace of Fish Lake.

Always the life of the party, Darlene loved people and thrived in any social environment. Over the years she became a championship golfer, an accomplished cook and a formidable hostess and organizer, chairing the British-American Ball in London and volunteering at the World Senior Games in St. George. Beloved wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, cherished sister and treasured friend, Darlene will be missed by many and remembered with love.

Darlene is survived by sons: Art (Shirley "Tiger") and Charles (Mary); son-in-law, Byron Farwell; grandchildren; Kimberly (Michael), Rusty (Dawn), Jenna Rae, Lisa (Sean), MacKenzie (Jason), and George; great-grandchildren: Nathan, Scott, Jacob, Ethan, Deegan, Ryan and Jude; and sister, Monnie (Tex) Olsen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Commander Arthur S. Macfarlane; daughter, Jill Farwell; and brother, Don (Barbara).

Graveside services for Darlene will be held Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the Richfield City Cemetery, Richfield, Utah. Funeral Directors, Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.