Darlene (Rickley) Brown peacefully passed away at Evergreen Living Center on Friday, October 18, 2024. She was born on February 8, 1942, in St. Ignace, Michigan, to Deward and Mabel (Moses) Rickley.
Darlene enjoyed living in St. Ignace, where she and her husband Herbert (Herbie) raised their five children. She was involved with the local Brownie and Girl Scout Troops. She was an accomplished seamstress. For many years she was a representative for World Changers helping native children. Darlene was known for her love of flowers in her flower gardens, she enjoyed bird watching, reading, doing her word search, and watching Hallmark movies. She will be dearly missed by her children.
Darlene worked for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in enrollment in the seventies, then medical input later on. She also served on the Tribal Board of Directors from 1992 to 1996. She did bookkeeping for her husband’s company, Pulp Co. and Winkleman's Clothing Store. Darlene enjoyed working at the Forestry, Community Action and the St. Ignace Library in her later years.
Darlene is survived by her daughters, Sandra (Thomas) Cronan, of St. Ignace, Susan Brown of St. Ignace, Sally Brown of Bentonville, Arkansas; son, Herb Brown of St. Ignace; grandchildren, Justin (Amy) Cronan of Nashville, Tennessee, Joshua (Kara) Cronan of Eagle River, Alaska, Gerald (Tammy) Cronan of Wassilla, Alaska, Jeffrey (Maria) Brown of Bentonville, Arkansas, Carley Brown of Oscoda, Michigan, and Zach Smith of Oscoda; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Emma, Zayden, Emry, Freya; and siblings, Judy, Russell, Christine, and Diane.
Darlene was preceded in death by her loving husband of 42 years, Herbert; daughter, Shirley; mother, Mabel; father, Deward Sr; brothers, Deward II, Robert, Gerald, Roger, John and Ronald.
Funeral Services will be held in the Spring of 2025.
Darlene’s final resting place will be Wequayoc Cemetery in St. Ignace Township.
Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com
