Darlene (Gillett) Romano, age 65, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on December 5, 2024, at Hospice house of the EUP. She was born on May 14, 1959, in Charlotte, Michigan, to Harold M. and Barbara A. (Purdy) Gillett.
Darlene began her childhood in Venice, Michigan. When she was three years old her family moved to Kinneville, Michigan, where she lived until she was nineteen years old. Darlene then worked at various places throughout her lifetime, such as the Pickle Factory in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Electro-wire in Mason, Michigan, Post Oak Mall in Texas, and Peckham Vocational Industries in Charlotte.
Darlene moved to Sault Ste. Marie in the summer of 1979, where she married and had her son. Her and her son later relocated to Charlotte and while working at Peckman, she met and later married David H. Fritz. They enjoyed twenty years together before David’s death. In October of 2016, Darlene returned to Sault Ste. Marie where she met Wayne A. Romano, and they married on July 4, 2017. Darlene and Wayne spent six and a half wonderful years together before his death.
Darlene enjoyed knitting, crocheting, painting, sketching and word search puzzles. She also loved spending time with her family and friends.
Darlene is survived by her daughter, Michelle Knight; sisters, Patsy Hayhoe, Nina Barres, Marian Ward, and Robbin Gillett; brother, Harold M. Gillett Jr.; nieces, Allison Carnell, Heather Harris, Ronda Ward-Drinkwater, Ellie Barres, Sara Marie Milspaugh, Makayla Mae Barres, Angel Morales, Jessica Gillett; great nieces, Erica and Veronica Wallace, Angelica and Monica Ornelas, many more. Jeni Gillett, Leanna Gillett, Barbara Gillett, Erica and Veronica Wallace, Angelica and Monica Ornelas, Bobbie Jo MacArthur, and Amy Miller; nephews, Jon Griffin, Donavon Harris, Lloyd C. Barres Jr., Christopher Barres, Tim Harris, Corin Harris, David Ward, Manny and Luis Ornelas, Andrew Heaton and, Harold Gillett III; great-nephew, Tim Harris, Corin Harris and Manny and Luis Ornelas, and many more nephews.
Darlene was preceded in death by husbands, Wayne A. Romano and David H. Fritz; parents, Harold and Barbara; sister, Sue Heaton; great-niece Hannah Harris and nephew, David Barres.
There will be no service per Darlene’s wishes.
Memorial contribution in her honor may be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, St Jude Children’s Research, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678 USA, Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.
Darlene’s final resting place will be the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI, beside her loving husband, Wayne Romano.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
