Darlene L. Baker, a wonderful mother, and caring soul, sadly passed away on August 4, 2023. She was born August 31, 1936, in Orofino, ID, to Emmett and Edna Bloom. There she lived with her parents and three siblings, Orville, Doris, and Betty, until moving to Seattle, WA in the 1940s. She attended West Seattle High School before starting a family of her own.

Darlene lived many lives in her 86 years, eventually filling her life with a large, blended family. She had two marriages before meeting the love of her life of 32 years, the late Eric "Rick" Baker who passed away in 2008.  She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren - Daughters, Melody and her husband Kevin, grandchildren Shane, Tina, and Erik, and great-grandchildren Talula, and Charlotte; Kathy and her husband Forrest, grandchildren Mason, and Xander; Diane and her husband Matt, grandchildren Dani and her boyfriend Nick, Coleman, and Logan, and great-grandchild Jasper; Dina and her husband Jeff, grandchild Anthony; Sons, Ricky and grandchild Tiffany; Cliff and Bruce; and sadly she lost her second born son, Mike, in 2009.

Darlene was a private person, a quietly strong woman whose strength undoubtedly helped her deal with the many challenges she faced in life. She loved to write to her family, about everything. Family members may recall a letter from her that touched their hearts or maybe left them a bit baffled, prompting a phone call for more information. She loved to write her thoughts, to-do lists, local activities, and doodles.

Until her health condition made it impossible, Darlene loved to attend Wally and The Beaves concerts, and she loved Elvis! She was a Danny Vernon (Elvis impersonator) groupie; she followed his events closely and would often sneak off to attend his concerts without her family knowing. Putting her daughters in a panic more than once, they eventually attributed Mom's "sneaking out" as payback for their teen escapades.

She enjoyed watching sporting events from professional baseball to her grandchildren's baseball tournaments and Kung Fu practices. She liked viewing the Seattle Seahawks games on TV and was thrilled to see them make it to the Super Bowl for the first time in 2014. She liked listening to country music and has seen many of her favorites in concert, such as Kenny Rogers and The Charlie Daniels Band. She loved the simple beauty of life, from the fragrance of lilacs to little getaways to Westport, WA with her husband. Above all, Darlene loved her family... she loved spending time with her grandkids, playing and laughing together, family was her life.

Spend time alone or spend time with the people you love; do whatever it takes to help you go through the most difficult times in your life because this is something Darlene would want for all of us… quiet strength, wrapped in love.

"Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean." – David Searls

A private memorial will be held for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Hopelink (www.hopelink.org) in Darlene's name. Darlene used this vital service for many years to get around town for needed health appointments. The family further requests that you listen to an Elvis song in her honor.

Thank ya, thank ya very much.