Darlene J. GILMORE

Gilmore, Darlene, age 71 of Grand Blanc died Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at Genesys Convalescent Center, Grand Blanc. Formerly Darlene Jean Johnson, she was born June 8, 1940 and grew up in Davison. She graduated from Davison High School with the class of 1958 and lived in Genesee County her entire life. Darlene retired from General Motors in 1992 when she married the love of her life, Bruce Gilmore. Together they enjoyed traveling and particularly enjoyed spending winters in Aruba. Their Caribbean adventures continued until 2008 when Darlene suffered a debilitating stroke. In addition to her husband, Darlene is survived by her twin children, James (Lisa) Stanick of Rochester Hills, and Kimberly (James) Mitchell of Wheaton, IL; as well as granddaughter Abigail Mitchell also of Wheaton. Darlene also will be dearly missed by her husband's daughters and their children. They are Suzanne (Robert) Schmitt and son Robert of Flint, and Heather Padilla and her son Rico of Garden City. Also surviving are Darlene's brother Dennis (Mary Lou) Johnson of Swartz Creek; three nephews and a niece; and sister-in-law Margary Gilmore of Henderson, NV. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alphonse and Doris Johnson. Darlene will be remembered and her life celebrated privately with close friends and family at a later date. Contributions in memory of Darlene can be made to Lighthouse International, an organization dedicated to fighting vision loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment. For more information, email dbrickman@lighthouse.org. Services provided by Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Rd., Flint. Friends may share an online tribute on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com