Darlene Ione VanBladeren

Darlene Ione was born the youngest of eight children to Clinton and Bessie Pearson in Portland, Oregon in 1932. She had four older sisters and three older brothers. She was known as "Little Darlene" to her siblings who all helped raise their baby sister. The five sisters had a forever close knit bond.

In Darlene's early years, she was legally blind. At 14 years old, Darlene went to OHSU where a revolutionary new surgery was performed which corrected her vision. This modern medicine and God's healing hand both played a part in her recovery.

In 1953, she married her first husband, James Meng, and was blessed with four children, David, Denice, Donald and Debbie. Being a mom was the true joy in her life.

Faith, family and church were important to Darlene. Her parents were founding members of Portland Foursquare Church. She made many lifelong friendships there. During that time, she was always active in the music programs and loved to sing in the choir and special trio ensembles. One of Darlene's talents was her ability to hear any hymn and sit at the piano and play it. It was always a treat when she, Bev, Mable, Gladys and Judy would get together and practice their music or sing in church.

Darlene exchanged wedding vows with John Vanbladeren in 1981. Their marriage blended two families, adding John, Ron, and Gary to the fold, enriching her life further. After John retired, they had the opportunity to visit and explore new places. Travelling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Darlene to expand her ever growing inventory of knowledge. Darlene and John were professional travelers and enjoyed many trips. Favorite travel destinations included Holland, Hawaii, and Alaska as well as all around the country to visit family. Darlene and John flew to Europe on the Concorde Jet, which was a highlight in their travels. As a younger woman, Darlene traveled to Jerusalem, to The Holy Land with friends, and always remembered that trip fondly.

In more recent years, she joined Rivercrest Community church, making many more friends. She regularly attended birthday luncheons with her friends, getting her hair styled weekly, her annual Seaside Vacation, spending time with family and going out to eat.

Darlene passed away on April 19, 2015, peacefully in her home in Portland Oregon. She is survived by her brother, Howard, her children, David (Judy), Denice, Donald, Debbie (Robin) and John's children John, Ron (Jean) and Gary (Lynn), her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Services will be held at held Sat., Apr. 25, at 1:00 PM, at Rivercrest Community Church, 3201 NE 148th Ave., Portland. Darlene will be laid to rest at Sunset hills memorial park.