Darleene Rose Brown, 87, of Kirkland, Washington passed away peacefully at her home on February 19, 2023.

Darleene, born on September 5, 1935, in Denver, Colorado, was the first of six children of Raymond and Rose Baalman. In 1944, the family moved to Richland, Washington. Darleene graduated from Columbia (Richland) High School in 1953. She then went to Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane, Washington, where she obtained her Professional Nursing degree.

After earning her degree, she relocated to Seattle, Washington, and started her nursing career at Virginia Mason. While in Seattle, she met the love of her life, Delbert (Del) Brown, whom she married in 1962. The couple had four children, Maria, Jeffrey, Douglas, and Charlotte. Del and Darleene moved to Kirkland, Washington, in 1968 where they lived for the rest of their lives. Darleene took a break from nursing while she raised her children, but she resumed her nursing career in the 1980s, working at Evergreen Hospital until she retired.

Darleene and Del retired together in 2000. They spent their retirement years traveling; golfing; attending their grandchildrens' sporting events, recitals, and school functions; and spending time with friends. While in retirement, Darleene agreed to go back to work part-time in a doctor's office at Evergreen to fill in when needed. Darleene loved her job, her co-workers, and helping the patients. Continuing her career on a part-time basis was less about work and more about doing something she loved. She continued nursing until 2021, when she retired a second time at the age of 85. Darleene's priorities started with her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, followed closely by her family and many wonderful friends. As a longtime golfer, Darleene proved that practice doesn't always make perfect on the scorecard, but it is a perfect opportunity to have fun and spend time with others.

Darleene was predeceased by her parents, husband Delbert, daughter Maria Carter, granddaughter Virginia Mae Gantzer, sister Barbara Jones, and brother Jim Baalman. She is survived by her children Jeff (Michelle), Doug (Amy), and Charlotte (Paul Gantzer); brothers Raymond, John, and Richard Baalman;, grand children Breanna Horne, Mary Carter, Gerrilyn Vail, Frances Vail, Langley Brown, Isabel Brown, Spencer Brown, Jolie Brown, Lillian Gantzer, and Daisy Gantzer; and great granddaughter Siènne Horne.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 11th at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Kirkland, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society St. John Vianney, any food bank, or the charity of your choice.