Born and raised in San Diego, Darlene was the granddaughter of Portuguese immigrants. Darlene began working at a local dry cleaner at age 14 to help provide for her family. She married Don Gilmer in 1965 and had three children, Don Gilmer, Jr (1968-2008), Sandra Gilmer and Cheri McVey. She was widowed in 1994 when her husband Don suddenly passed. Darlene remarried in 1996, to Joseph Moniz. Darlene enjoyed a long career in retail customer service with Fedco, Target and Costco (originally Price Club), retiring in 2002. Darlene loved to have fun and was always on the go, enjoying many Girls Trips with her daughters to places such as Portugal, New York, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Idyllwild and Desert Hot Springs. Family was the most important thing in Darlene’s life and she was extremely proud of her Portuguese heritage and as a member of the local Portuguese Hall. She was charitable and giving to all who knew her. A strong, faithful Catholic, she loved going to mass and praying the rosary for others in need of prayer. Trustworthy, loyal and selfless, Darlene was loved unconditionally by her friends and family. She will be missed greatly.
Darlene is survived by her husband Joseph, loving Daughters Sandra and Cheri, son in law David McVey, brother Edward Mitchell, sister in law KC Mitchell, sister Linda Milstead, step daughters Renee Doyle and Michelle Honz, grandchildren Kelsey Octigan, Jared Honz, Ashlyn Doyle, Olivia Mower and great grandchildren Kaiden and Brooke Honz.
A visitation for Darlene will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Rosary service at 5:00 PM at Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home, 1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Holy Cross, 4470 hilltop, sd, CA 92113.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beardsleymitchell.com for the Moniz family.
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