The memorial for Momma is scheduled for October 1st, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
At the end of the memorial we're going to take a few moments for everyone that would like to participate, to insert a picture, letter, card, note or small trinket in her urn box. If you would like to join us with this special moment, please limit your trinket to no larger than 3 inches. Pictures shouldn't be larger than 5 x 7 and unframed.
We look forward to seeing all of you there.
We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Darlene Lorraine Burman. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Once the pandemic is passed, we will plan a final memorial and post invites. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Darlene Lorraine Burman was born on April 16th, 1937 in Modesto, CA to Jennie and Anthony Kazup. She passed from this world peacefully in the morning of June 30th, 2020. She leaves behind one sister, Carol, and two daughters, Jennifer and Alicia. An avid crafter, Darlene was known in her early years for elaborate hand-crafted macrame wall hangings. And later in her 60's to late 70's she created beautiful wreaths for friends and... see more
Darlene Lorraine Burman was born on April 16th, 1937 in Modesto, CA to Jennie and Anthony Kazup. She passed from this world peacefully in the morning of June 30th, 2020. She leaves behind one sister, Carol, and two daughters, Jennifer and Alicia.
An avid crafter, Darlene was known in her early years for elaborate hand-crafted macrame wall hangings. And later in her 60's to late 70's she created beautiful wreaths for friends and family. While living at Margaret McDowell Manor in West Sacramento, she often put together generous gift baskets for raffles and fund raisers (all created with only one good hand after suffering a stroke in the early 80's). In her 50's she volunteered at the Modesto Union Gospel Mission, cooking meals for hundreds of the homeless and indigent.
Darlene, also known as Stevie, made friends easily, and leaves behind a legacy of lives touched by her love, generosity and compassion.
She will be greatly missed.
Please feel free to leave a memory of Darlene and share with us how she touched your lives.
Note: If you would like to contribute to a charity in Darlene's memory, any contribution large or small to the Modesto Union Gospel Mission would be a living legacy for her.
Darlene, It was such a pleasure and a blessing to have you in our home for the past four years. I'll never forget you telling me to take five minutes a day to read the bible and pray. " Only five minutes, come on its only five minutes, take a break! "... moreDarlene, It was such a pleasure and a blessing to have you in our home for the past four years. I'll never forget you telling me to take five minutes a day to read the bible and pray. " Only five minutes, come on its only five minutes, take a break! " You were a faithful women until the end and I'll forever cherish our nightly prayers together. You never blamed anyone and was also such a happy lady with a smile on your face. You became a part of the Gherle Family and we're so proud your resting in heaven now. Remembering your wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. I hope that our Lord brings your family the much-needed peace during this sad time.
Alicia and Jen, Darlene was so proud of you girls. The love and the care you provided her with she felt every bit of it. She spoke so highly of both of you all the time. She loved you both so much.
Oh momma I'm so grateful I was able to say goodbye before you made your journey into God's loving embrace.
It's because of your love and support throughout my life that I'm the strong woman I am today. You always encouraged me to do anything
I set my... moreOh momma I'm so grateful I was able to say goodbye before you made your journey into God's loving embrace.
It's because of your love and support throughout my life that I'm the strong woman I am today. You always encouraged me to do anything
I set my mind to doing. As Alicia mentioned the Holidays at home were always a special occasion with lots of fantastic goodies for everyone to enjoy. Her pie crust was to die for!
Although momma had much pain and many physical struggles in her later years she found comfort in God's teachings. She was the strongest, toughest woman I've ever known. I'm grateful she passed quietly and peacefully. I miss you every day and l love you eternally. less
I'm so grateful to Momma for always being not only a good mom, but also the one person I knew would encourage me in whatever I tried to do.
"You can do whatever you put your mind to", she often told me.
And because of Momma, I pursued every... moreI'm so grateful to Momma for always being not only a good mom, but also the one person I knew would encourage me in whatever I tried to do.
"You can do whatever you put your mind to", she often told me.
And because of Momma, I pursued every creative outlet I wanted as a kid and on into high school. Ever present, she faithfully attended my award ceremonies, concerts, parades I marched in, and every play I performed in. She also bragged about me to anyone who would listen, often to the point of embarrassment. Thanks, Mom.
Momma also gave me the foundation for my belief in God. I can still hear her saying, "How can you not believe there's a God? All you have to do is look at a single blade of grass and see the marvel in His creation."
But she never held the reigns too tight with me either. I'm certain this is because she trusted me.
"You were always such good kids, " she once told me. "I trusted you because I knew you and Jennifer would do what is right and stay out of trouble."
And because of that trust I was allowed to be out all day during the summer and on the weekends ... off living "adventures" as grand as my imagination and surroundings would allow. I would spend the day riding my horse, or fishing in the local fishing hole, or simply sitting on the back deck reading a good book.
And boy could she laugh ... both Jenn and I loved to find things to make Momma laugh. She would laugh so hard she couldn't breathe and her face would turn bright red. Oh how I loved those moments.
And the Christmases ... oh, the Christmases. Momma, a wonderful cook, would be cooking for days before the holiday finally arrived: cookies, pies, candies would fill the counters, and on the day of celebration, we would enjoy a lavish meal fit for a king. I have such fond memories of Christmas at Momma's house.
But life for Momma was not always filled with good times. There was the divorce with Daddy, the stroke, losing Bob and almost all her siblings and her parents, and then her battle with cancer and her resulting amputation. She always credited her belief in God for overcoming all of this. "With God nothing is impossible," she would say. "God will get me through this."
And indeed God did ... all the way to the end. When Momma was diagnosed with Diverticulitis, I thought she would take an antibiotic and just as she always did in the past, bounce right back. But this time her body was too frail, and the infection too difficult to overcome. So I put in calls to my sister, Jenn, and Momma's best friend Jan, letting them know if they want to see Momma one last time, they'd better come now.
From that day forward, we all spent as much time as we could sitting with her, talking to her, reading "Our Daily Bread", "When Jesus Calls", and the Bible to her. It was on Thursday, June 25th, the day after Jenn arrived, that Momma became unresponsive. It was as if she held out until Jenn came, and then could no longer stay awake. From Friday on we girls (Jennifer, Kel, Mary, me, Jan, and her caregivers Elizabeth and Tamara, and even some of Elizabeth's daughters) stood vigil over Momma ... so she would know she was loved and cared for. But it was Elizabeth and Tamara that were with Momma as she took her last breath. They both marveled at how peaceful it was.
"Never have I seen someone pass so peacefully as your Momma", explained Elizabeth. "She just took one last gentle breath, and was gone."
Gone, but not forgotten. You will always be with me, Momma, in my heart and in my memories. I love you and miss you every moment of every day. Till we meet again ... less