Donna Darlene Mathews

1943 ~ 2023

The tears in our eyes we can wipe away …the ache in our hearts will always stay.

Darlene passed away on Sunday, October 8th, 2023.

Darlene leaves her husband of 58 years, Rick Mathews, and their children; Lori West (Stephen) and Eric Mathews (Tasha). Grandchildren; Amanda Camarato, Rickie Camarato, Taylor Mathews and Trevor Mathews. A brother, Jim Palovchik and a sister, Ruth Ann Yurgelon and many nieces, nephews and dozens of cousins.

Whether you called her Dar, Darlene, mom, grandma, Wee or Mrs. Mathews, her real name was Auntie. She was everyone’s favorite, and “Auntie” to 3 generations of friends and family.

Her sometimes-naughty wit could raise an eyebrow and send her, and all those around her, into fits of giggles.

Darlene was born on June 7, 1943, in Granite City, Illinois and was brought to California as a young child. She was the daughter of Rudy & Ethel Palovchik (deceased). Darlene grew up and attended schools in San Diego. She graduated from Crawford High School and that’s when her life really began.

In school she formed some, now, over 65-plus year friendships; if Darlene was your friend, then it was a lifelong relationship … forever. In 1964, Darlene packed her suitcases and moved to Hawaii where she met a very handsome Army soldier, Rick, who was stationed there during the Vietnam War years. A romance blossomed and the family joke was that both of them had to go to Hawaii to meet, as Rick was from El Cajon, just 15 minutes from where she lived!

Love, marriage and a new baby girl (Lori) in one year, and 2 years later son Eric arrived.

In May of 1973, the young family purchased a brand-new home in the small, rural town of Santee. The new subdivision named Wild Wood became home to hundreds of young couples and families, where every neighbor knew everyone on the block and every child had another set of parental watchful eyes. An idyllic and busy life, Darlene was content to stay in that home for 50 years.

Of all the places she worked, Darlene’s favorite was the Grossmont College Nursing Department. Again, where she met and maintained years’ long friendships.

Always interspersed through her life was her love of BINGO, Scrabble games, jigsaw puzzles and sunflower seed, scorekeeping her son’s Little League games, rooting for the Chargers and Padres, Elvis, ceramics, Bunko games, a low tolerance of ONE Margherita, laughing until she was breathless, a raucous sense of humor, collecting absolutely everything, tap dancing, music, music, music, and a zest for life that once broke both her leg and ankle riding a Moped. Darlene was up for anything fun. Christmas Eve was her favorite holiday.

The greatest loves in her life were her husband, children and grandchildren, her special relationships with her nieces and all family and friends … and everyone loved her right back.

Darlene’s wish was to remember her as she was the last time you saw her.

No funeral, graveside or burial services will be held.

As her favorite performer said...

"Darlene, I’ll Remember You"

~ Don Ho