Obituary for Darleen M Stein
Darleen Michele Stein, 61, passed away at her home in Ventnor in the arms of her family on Sunday March 15, 2020 following a very short but courageous battle with cancer.
Born on May 10, 1958 in Dorothy, New Jersey to Elma and Roy Hampton, Darleen was the youngest of the couple’s ten children. With her bright blue eyes and beautiful blonde hair, she was the adored “baby” of the family. Darleen loved her family deeply and was incredibly devoted to them, always there to provide support in whatever way it was needed. She had close and loving relationships with her siblings as well as her many nieces and nephews.
Darleen’s life was an expression of unconditional love and compassion. She touched the lives of so many people with her selflessness, generosity, strength, grace, humor, and vibrant spirit. To know her was to love her. She made everyone feel loved and cared for—including the dozens of furry friends she rescued, fostered, and nurtured over the years. She was an integral part of the community and played an active role in many organizations that served others and animals.
As a close friend wrote of her selfless and giving nature, “I believe that if I can do one selfless act every day, I will be a better person. If that theory holds true, then Darleen was the best person I have ever known. You come to know a few people in your life that you know in your heart make you better. Darleen was one of those people.”
There was nothing Darleen couldn’t do, no problem she couldn’t solve, no role she didn’t play. She was a phenomenal wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, friend, caretaker, homemaker, gardener, quilt maker, animal activist, outdoor enthusiast, and so much more. She loved spending her days outside in the sun tending to her plants, riding her bike along the boardwalk with her doggy Stella in her basket, playing tennis with her friends, hiking with her daughter Melanie out in California, and enjoying the view of the bay from her back deck.
Darleen had recently retired alongside her husband Bill from their business, Stein’s Food Service Equipment, where she played an integral part of the business’s success in its later years. Earlier in her life Darleen also worked at Wheaton Glass, Farley and Ferry real estate, taught special education at VECC, and fostered many dogs through SOS Dogs.
Darleen is survived by her husband Bill; daughter Melanie; brothers Ron, Les, and Gary (Joan); sisters Anita, Beverly, Judy, and DeRonda (Stan Haynes); stepchildren Erica (Mark) and Spencer (Amira); step grandchildren Sadie and Gabriel; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Elma, father Roy, and brothers Roy Jr. (Vira) and Norman (Marie).
Darleen’s memory will live on in the hearts of those of us who were blessed enough to know and love her.
The family ask that contributions to Darleen’s memory be made to The Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037 or at: humanesociety.org
Born on May 10, 1958 in Dorothy, New Jersey to Elma and Roy Hampton, Darleen was the youngest of the couple’s ten children. With her bright blue eyes and beautiful blonde hair, she was the adored “baby” of the family. Darleen loved her family deeply and was incredibly devoted to them, always there to provide support in whatever way it was needed. She had close and loving relationships with her siblings as well as her many nieces and nephews.
Darleen’s life was an expression of unconditional love and compassion. She touched the lives of so many people with her selflessness, generosity, strength, grace, humor, and vibrant spirit. To know her was to love her. She made everyone feel loved and cared for—including the dozens of furry friends she rescued, fostered, and nurtured over the years. She was an integral part of the community and played an active role in many organizations that served others and animals.
As a close friend wrote of her selfless and giving nature, “I believe that if I can do one selfless act every day, I will be a better person. If that theory holds true, then Darleen was the best person I have ever known. You come to know a few people in your life that you know in your heart make you better. Darleen was one of those people.”
There was nothing Darleen couldn’t do, no problem she couldn’t solve, no role she didn’t play. She was a phenomenal wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, friend, caretaker, homemaker, gardener, quilt maker, animal activist, outdoor enthusiast, and so much more. She loved spending her days outside in the sun tending to her plants, riding her bike along the boardwalk with her doggy Stella in her basket, playing tennis with her friends, hiking with her daughter Melanie out in California, and enjoying the view of the bay from her back deck.
Darleen had recently retired alongside her husband Bill from their business, Stein’s Food Service Equipment, where she played an integral part of the business’s success in its later years. Earlier in her life Darleen also worked at Wheaton Glass, Farley and Ferry real estate, taught special education at VECC, and fostered many dogs through SOS Dogs.
Darleen is survived by her husband Bill; daughter Melanie; brothers Ron, Les, and Gary (Joan); sisters Anita, Beverly, Judy, and DeRonda (Stan Haynes); stepchildren Erica (Mark) and Spencer (Amira); step grandchildren Sadie and Gabriel; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Elma, father Roy, and brothers Roy Jr. (Vira) and Norman (Marie).
Darleen’s memory will live on in the hearts of those of us who were blessed enough to know and love her.
The family ask that contributions to Darleen’s memory be made to The Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037 or at: humanesociety.org