Darlene Sue Nichols gained her wings surrounded by her loving family on January 29, 2020.
She was born on April 3, 1953 in Bethany, Oklahoma to Burl and Goldie Lowrance. As a young child, she moved to Sedro-Woolley, Washington with her parents. Soon she became a big sister to a younger brother and four younger sisters. Some of her greatest joys were her siblings.
She attended Sedro-Woolley High School and graduated in 1972. She began working in the school district a few years later as a paraprofessional, where she changed lives of youth and became a significant part of the community. For years she worked with kids that had special needs, helping them learn and gain the skills for a successful future. She also worked for Skagit Domestic Violence, the YMCA, and other jobs where she could help others and change lives.
She had a loving husband, Michael Nichols, whom she married in Sedro-Woolley, on September 6, 2011. They spent their lives together in Monroe, Washington.
Darlene never met a stranger—she instantly became friends with anyone she crossed paths with. She loved life and loved people, always leaving them with a big smile on their face and a warmth in their heart. The kindness she exuberated will never be forgotten.
She was an avid animal lover and enjoyed riding horses throughout her life. Her home was filled with her dogs and cats, and she had a koi pond outside. Flowers and gardening were also one of her passions.
Her greatest joy was being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She treasured her grandchildren and was incredibly proud of them as she watched them learn to drive, graduate, get married, and have babies of their own. A couple of her favorite things were spending summers with her children and grandsons and visiting her great-granddaughter.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Burl and Goldie Lowrance, as well as a great-niece, Kara Lupardus. She is survived by her husband Mike, her children Darla, Josh, and Angie (Chuck); her grandchildren, Dakoda (Jocelyn), Skyler (Anny), Jasper, Bryar, and Tucker, and one great-granddaughter Avianna; her sisters, Coleen (Mark), Carla (Mike), Shelly, and Robin (Tracy) and brother Luke (Kris), as well as a dozen nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 11:00am at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Interment will be at the Bow Cemetery, followed by a potluck Celebration of Life, time and location TBD. A time of visitation will be available on Monday from noon to 5pm, Tuesday from 9am to 5pm and on Wednesday from 9 to 10am. Share memories of Darlene and sign the online guest register.
Love and miss you nana you will always have a special place in my heart, still feel like we are connected somehow thru memories and the Love you inflicted on us ,i will only have 1 nana but the best in the world and I’m so blessed but can’t help but to be selfish cause all I want is more time with you here. God must have needed you more so till it’s my time rest easy and save us a spot up there in heaven our beautiful angel ❤️
My beautiful mother I am lost without you . The most kind wonderful lady I will miss you my best friend
Our deepest Sympathy.
May the Lord grant you Strength and Peace during this difficult time.
Love, George & Beate Kondurks
sorry to darlenes family, nice lady who looked great in her purple convertible,
You will forever be missed ❤️🙏🏽
Darlene was one of the most thoughtful and friendly people I’ve ever met she will be missed by us and many. Rest in peace sisterinlaw.
Darleen was one of the nicest people, always cheerful and friendly to all was a great sisterinlaw. She will be missed.
Darlene was such a special loving person. She will be missed by her family and friends. I pray that her family will find comfort in the many loving memories of this wonderful woman. I’m so sorry for your loss. May Darlene rest in peace. Memory Eternal.
I know Darlene was a source of love and joy to the Lowrance Family. I fondly remember hearing all kinds of stories about her, as I grew up with Darlene’s sisters. I will always admire the strong sense of family that was the Lowrance way, everyone taking care of each other. My heart breaks for my friend Coleen, as the bond shared by those sisters and their children runs so deep.
Darlene, you were a very caring, and loyal friend. You always made me smile, and I loved your smile, and I shall miss you. RIP, much love and wonderful peace,
Hi she was wonderful friend and sister, she will greatly missed,
I always enjoyed my conversations with Darlene. As anyone who had the opportunity to have her grace their presence can attest she was a very very awesome woman great since of humor, intelligent, just an all around wonderful person. I was truly shocked and saddened to see this in Facebook. My heartfelt condolences to Darla, Josh and her husband and the rest of Darlene’s family may God compfort and bless you all during this most difficult time. RIP Darlene say hello to my many loved ones up there !!!
It’s not often you meet a person who is genuinely kind, generous, honest, optimistic, helpful, gregarious and happy…no matter what was going on with them; Darlene was a special kind of human. I was lucky to know her. I am sad for her family, but we were all blessed to have known her.
My dear Darlene, you will be forever missed but your kind heart, your ability to connect with others in such a special way and your sweet, loving and caring ways will live on forever in our hearts. I was privileged to get to work with you at SDVSAS for several years. I learned so much from you and greatly admired your talents. You were such a good friend to so many. We were lucky to have you in our lives. RIP my friend. To your family…my condolences to you all. It is so hard to lose a loved one and the sorrow that follows us. Please know Darlene is looking down on you all and will help you get through these difficult times. The wonderful memories you have of her will help get you through and she will continue to live on in your hearts through them. ❤️
My prayers for Darlene’s family. She was always smiling when I would see her and always had good things to say. Rest In Peace Darlene
I’m so sorry to hear about Darlene passing, she was beautiful inside and out, loved by all and will be greatly missed. Prayers to her family.
Till we meet again my beautiful sister of the 💖..
God bless
Debbie M Stafford
Darlene, you truly are an angel. You were my first Paraprofessional at Central School. Thank you for the love you gave our kids and the support you gave me. God be with your family and your pets.
Darlene you were such a good friend, although through the years we did not see each other a lot you were still in my heart. We talked back and forth on FB a lot. You were one of my best friends growing up, we did a lot of crazy things with our horses and spent a lot of hours together. Your family treated me like one of the family and I considered your home a safe haven for me. Darlene I love you so much and you will be missed. It makes me sad that you are no longer here but I know you are with your loving parents. Happy trails my friend and I will catch up with you one of these days so leave the light on and scatter a few bread crumbs for me to follow.