Darlene Ann Gill

Born June 10, 1941, in Manistique, a daughter of Donald and Fronia (Welch) McKenzie, Darlene was raised in Manistique and graduated from Manistique High School, Class of 1960. She continued her education by enrolling at Northern Michigan University where she received her bachelors degree. While attending Northern, Darlene met her future husband, Gary Todd Gill, and following their marriage, the couple established their home in Marquette where they raised their three sons. Darlene’s teaching career began at Marquette’s Bishop Baraga High School and continued in the Gwinn School System, teaching home economics and accounting. She then took a sabbatical to be a mom to her children. She later obtained her real estate and financial representative licenses and continued her career in those capacities until she retired in the early 2000s. Darlene was a person who liked to keep busy and possessed a variety of talents. She enjoyed making crafts, cooking, traveling, working crossword puzzles, and playing sudoku. She was a talented seamstress who could sew and tailor anything and do whatever she put her mind to. Darlene was loving, spiritual, smart, loyal, believed in sober living, and was known as a passionate advocate for causes in which she believed.

Darlene loved her family dearly, would do anything for her sons, and was especially grateful for the time spent with her grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by her sons, Brian (Alyona) Gill of Grand Rapids, David (Michelle) Gill of Cadillac, and Kevin Gill of Florida; her grandchildren, Anton Gill and Maxim Gill of Grand Rapids, and Lina Gill of Florida.

In addition to her parents, Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; and her brother, Thomas McKenzie.

Honoring her request, no public services will be held. Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.