Darlene E. Sullivan
February 14, 1935 ~ January 27, 2024
Darlene E. Sullivan, 88, of Wichita, Kansas, died Saturday, January 27, 2024, after a brief illness. A retired WPD Central Records and Case Review employee, and retired part-time receptionist for Downing and Lahey Mortuary, “Mom” was loving her free time playing cards with the River City Ladies Club and weekly dominoes and lunches with the gals.Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Earl J. Denbow, Sr. and Mildred LaDavia; her stepfather, Joseph LaDavia; her brothers, Eugene Denbow and Earl Denbow, Jr.; her first husband, Eugene F. Hammers; and her second husband, Chester L. Sullivan. She is survived by her children, Vicki (Dennis) O’Neil of Meriden, CT, Dennis “Joey” Hammers of Wichita, KS, and Eric Hammers of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Michael O’Neil, Erin O’Neil, Thomas Hammers, Elizabeth (Ryan) Zohar; and her great- granddaughters, Xyza Zohar and Xena Zohar; and great-grandson, Dietrich Zohar.Darlene loved her animals and was always feeding the neighborhood cats, eventually adopting several of them as her own. Donations in her name may be made to the Kansas Humane Society.Arrangements are being handled by Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.
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Just hours before her passing, I wrote this for my Mom. I felt inclined to share it here.
Mom, throughout my entire life, you’ve been my rock. You’ve been my example of how to live, and sometimes, I’ve fallen short of that example, but you’ve loved me in spite of it. You’ve been my go to for sage advice and, in my 58 years, you’ve never really failed to be there for me.
With you here, I’ve had the luxury or remaining young, even in my 50’s. When you leave us to join Dad, and the Ancestors of our family, I’ll be left to face my own mortality.
But, that’s okay Mom. I’m not alone. I have my sister, my brother, and several true friends who will be here for me. Most importantly, I have my children, your grandchildren, who too will feel your passing, but together we will remain strong.
And I know, in a different way, you will still be with me too. 💕
So, go rest now Mommy. Give Dad a big hug for me, and before we know it, I’ll see you again.
I Love You, Mom. As long as I draw breath, you will be remembered as the beautiful person you have always been… ❤️
For many years, Darlene was a reliable, valued, trusted evening receptionist for Downing & Lahey. You could count on the fact that she was going to be there every single evening, always early! And I mean COUNT ON IT! She sweetly answered the phones and greeted guests that came in to pay their respects to their loved ones or friends. Reliable, that was Darlene!
We visited briefly every day as I was leaving the mortuary for the day, and she almost always had an interesting story of something that had gone on in the police records dept. that day. Without a doubt, her position at the Mortuary was an ideal fit for her and the firm both! Loving, caring and sincere, that was Darlene.
Rest peacefully old friend. Your loving heart will be missed in this world.
Fondly, Laura Schlotthauer-Moody (Darlene would know me as Williams back in those years).
Darlene was one of the sweetest and kindest people to have ever walked this earth. Classy, witty, charming, and down to earth. To this day I still miss her mother, Mildred (Mig) and her step-father, Joe, and I will miss Darlene every bit as much. Rest in peace, cousin. We will see each other again.
-Lowell Weber-