Darleen R. Pettit

Delmar-Pettit, Darleen R. After 101 years of exceptional life, and a strong will to live and enjoy whatever life offered, Darleen succumbed to a brief experience with Covid. She never left her own home, which she loved like her family and two cats and all the other people and pets she survived during her long, full life.

The secret to a well-lived century is appreciating the silver lining in every cloud of gray and being eternally optimistic no matter what life presents. Darleen experienced the great depression in the midwestern dustbowl, lived through losing her first love in WWII and losing many dear friends and close family over the years, including her two younger sisters. She accepted her longevity, pretty much sure she would live forever, while missing the people she knew the longest. Having outlived her immediate family except daughter Stacy, son-in-law Eric, and their three sons, Graham, Dylan and Lucas, she did not want a funeral service or calling hours. She did want those who knew her to remember good times had. She especially appreciated her neighbor friends and knitting buddies in Delmar who welcomed her and friended her 11 years ago when she moved here from Nebraska. She also had a loving fondness for her California niece, Susan, even though they lived far from each other.

Darleen had an amusing sense of humor, as well as a keen intelligence. She loved to cook and try new foods, but her favorites had to be Asian dishes and anything sweet. She was also a talented china painter, and her home is filled with beautiful china plates painted with realistic flowers and birds. She never lost her abilities to see, hear, taste, play games on the internet and stalk grandchildren on Facebook until they stopped posting. She loved her smart phone, her tablet and all new other gadgets, and she loved learning how to use them.

Notable in her life was her service in WWII at the Glenn L. Martin Bomber Plant, not as Rosie the riveter but as an airplane parts department worker, supporting her mother and younger sisters while the men were at war. She lived through some unwanted treatment because she was a woman, such as not being able to get credit or birth control without a husband's permission and being forced to resign as an executive secretary at Omaha Public Power District when she became noticeably pregnant in 1959. Despite the policy of not permitting mothers to work, the company knew she wrote the best speeches and press announcements for her male bosses, so they kept having her return part-time to fill in as needed (without benefits) during the years she raised her family. When her husband Walt retired early, she didn't want to stay home any longer and went back full-time to OPPD, rising to become the first woman manager of public relations. An incredible advocate for daughter Lennae who had Down Syndrome, Darleen was instrumental in obtaining public school integration for young people with disabilities, and she ran Special Olympics in Omaha for many years, caring, not only about her daughter Lennae, but for all those who did not live with their families and needed someone to watch over them. She inspired her daughter Stacy by example to be strong and confident, and made sure to inspire the concept that she could do anything if she tried. Darleen adored her son-in-law Eric, who cared for her lovingly like a son, and was especially proud of her three grandsons and their accomplishments. She often mentioned the wonderful times she had playing with and caring for her handsome grandsons when they were young, and the vacations she shared with them.

We can't forget to mention a little more about husband Walt, WWII veteran who served in the South Pacific, mostly at Biak Island and then in occupied Japan before coming home and finding Darleen. He was a lucky man to have found her, and with a stressful job as an auditor for the Air Force, he needed Darleen, who always found time to make him happy with favorite meals, picnics while he fished, and fun summer family vacation trips all over the country. Darleen was caregiver to Walt and daughter Lennae at the end of their lives when they each had Alzheimer's and predeceased her. She cared for them until the end with intense love. Observing her strength while she managed so much with a smile, we learned to be grounded and humble. That is why we did everything to keep her happy at home in her final months. She didn't want to ask for donations to anything specific, so if you are inspired, donate to something you care about or just be kind to others, and know she would be pleased you are making the world a better place. She will be remembered and missed deeply.

Finally, we would like to thank Debby and Jennifer, her incredibly caring day aides who became friends and family to us, and hospice nurses Sue and Chi, who made the last few months easy on the rest of us. Darleen was blessed to be surrounded by so many caring people.