Darlene J (Thorne) Lewis passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 18th, 2024, at the age of 79, surrounded by her family. She lived a great life full of love from all who knew her. Darlene was born in April 1944 to Lester C and Joyce (Van der Bleek) Thorne (both deceased). She is survived by her daughters Michele (Shellie) and LeAnne, her granddaughter Dakota as well as her sister Patsy (Patti) and brother David. She is also survived by many friends and family members across AZ, CA, NV, OK, PA and TX, including nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her son, Donald (Donnie) and her brother, Eugene (Gene). Darlene grew up in San Diego and enjoyed spending time at her family’s land in the Cuyamaca Mountains as well as with her extended family, including her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. After marrying in her 20s, Darlene went on to raise her daughters in the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego. She loved to travel the nation, visit family, read, sew, work on ceramics, music and other forms of media, and she joined several bowling leagues and music clubs during her lifetime. She enjoyed her canine companions, from childhood through her last years, and always looked forward to greeting them again at the ‘end of the Rainbow Bridge’. Darlene drove for the county transit system for seventeen years and won several Safe Driver Awards throughout her time there. She then relocated to San Antonio, TX with her daughter and granddaughter and began driving a shuttle bus for Sea World San Antonio, where she later retired after nine wonderful years. Darlene loved collecting and experimenting with family recipes, as well as finding various Knick knacks and other collectibles. She relocated to Arizona during the last years of her life and enjoyed being closer to family. Darlene was known by all who knew her as one of the sweetest people they’d ever met. She was kind, compassionate and loving to all of her ‘adopted’ family, as well as her long-time pen pals, some she had known since high school. Darlene was a staunch supporter of veterans as many in her family served in various branches of the military as well as her Indigenous American heritage. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Feeding America (give.feedingamerica.org) in Darlene’s name.