Darlene Gloria Varga, daughter, sister, cousin, partner, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019 at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance in her 76th year, after a short and very courageous battle. “Small but mighty” describes her perfectly. Daughter of the late Francis and Florence Johnston, Darlene’s late brothers Donald (Carol, Vicky) and David (Diane) helped their parents to pave Darlene’s path home, with sister, Debbie Steunenberg (Ed) and cousin, Joan Curtis (Maurice Dixon ) waving her off with tears of love and sorrow, their broken hearts to mend the day they are all reunited. Her nieces and nephews remember their aunt with fondness and love. Darlene lived her best life by the side of her partner and friend, Joaquim (Jack) Da Silva, who is lost and heartbroken without his constant companion. Darlene and Jack spent their time together travelling, laughing and enjoying the easy comradery of their relationship. She even managed to get him to trade in his trowel for a shuffle board cue. Darlene transitioned seamlessly into the Da Silva family, to quickly become one of their own. She will be dearly missed by her early morning coffee partner, Issac, his wife Amy, who always enjoyed bantering and trading quips with Darlene, and their children, Megan and Issac, to whom Darlene was a treasured grandmother. Jack, Jr., wife Tita and sons, Riyano and Santino, were able to give Darlene their love before the end, while sons Jordan and Tiago sent theirs from afar. Brother-in-law, Esequiel Da Silva, will miss her laughter and friendship. Darlene went into her final battle with humour, wit and wisecracks as her armour, until such time as the battlefield became too much to maneuver. Even though she was not able to spend her last days in hospice, that was her wish, and we would encourage anyone who wants to donate in her name to do so to the Chatham-Kent Hospice. On behalf of the family, we extend our sincere gratitude to the gracious, caring nursing staff of 4West at the CK Health Alliance, who made Darlene’s last days comfortable. We will say our final good-byes in a private ceremony. “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” ~ Irving Berlin