Darlene Damaras Bartoletta

Darlene Shields Bartoletta was a loving mother, wife, and sister; who will always be remembered for her love of her family. Her family was her world, and even through all her suffering, she continued to be the most selfless and dedicated person to the ones she loved. At the age of 61 years young, she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 6, 2023 at the Pepin Heart Institute at Advent Health in Tampa, Florida. She is survived by her loving husband, Mike, and her three children, Danielle, Michael, and Lauren, extended family, and countless friends, as she touched the lives of anyone who crossed paths with her. She was born in Southampton, raised in Amagansett, went to Amagansett Grade School, and graduated from East Hampton High School in 1979. Darlene went to college to play basketball, but unfortunately endured her first battle with cancer at the age of 19. Following school, she moved to St. Louis, and soon after her job transferred her to Tampa, Florida, where she met the love of her life, James (Mike) Bartoletta. Darlene and Mike got married in 1984 on March 8th in Tampa Bay. At the age of 27, they started a successful home building company in the Tampa Bay Area. Darlene was mostly dedicated to her family, she was the best at making home feel like home. In her free time, she enjoyed fishing, hanging with her dogs, cooking, and being with family both in Tampa, FL and East Hampton, New York.

Darlene can be remembered by the smile she wore no matter the circumstances. After 3 battles with cancer, and two open-heart surgeries; her positivity and strength never wavered. Through all of the struggles she faced, her gratitude for life continued to grow. She was remarkable at keeping her head held high, fighting on with hope and faith. Darlene was a true believer in appreciating the smallest day to day moments, to the biggest accomplishments, and everything in between.

She was so proud of her three children, whom she had given all her time to. Danielle, born in May 1994, working in architecture with her Dad, Mike; and the twins born in December of 1995; Michael becoming a Fighter Pilot in the United States Air Force; and Lauren working as a NICU Nurse. She gained her first son-in-law in June of 2019, Omar Molina, who is in the United States Army.

Darlene got the chance to travel the world with her husband and children, but Amagansett always held a special place in her heart, as that was her home. She loved her home town, where hundreds of her relatives also resided. Her late parents, Daniel Ryan Shields and Linda Lee (Finch) Shields taught her valuable life lessons that she carried with her throughout her life and also passing down to her children. Darlene’s late brother, Daniel Ryan Shields II, was a very successful business owner in their home-town of Amagansett, NY who she was very close with, along with his loving wife Evelyn Shields.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, as she has impacted thousands of lives in such a positive way. Darlene was a remarkable person with a heart of gold.

Darlene spent a great amount of time giving back and raising money with the American Cancer Society, any donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in her honor.

The family will receive friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Blount and Curry Carrollwood located at 3207 W. Bearss Ave. Tampa, FL. 33618.

Internment services in East Hampton, New York will be updated once finalized.