Obituary of Darlene Coburn
The family invites you to watch the livestream of Darlene's service on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Please CLICK HERE.
Our hearts are heavy to announce the passing of our Mom, Stepmom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Sister and Aunt, Darlene Coburn (nee: Robinson) on Saturday, October 7th at River Park Gardens Care Home in Winnipeg. She was 82.
Darlene, affectionately known as Dee or Grandma Dee Dee, was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on March 5, 1941 and spent her early years on the family farm in the Buttress district. She attended Red Lake School in this area then moved to Moose Jaw in the winter of 1951 to attend King Edward School. Darlene attended secretarial school following her formal education and married Ray Wallin in 1959. They had two children, Kelly (Wallin) Nickel and Brad Wallin. They remained in Moose Jaw where she worked at Moose Jaw Union Hospital and People’s Jewellers until the family relocated to North Battleford with their two young children in April, 1970. Mom worked for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance, north west region, both as an administrative assistant and then regional field supervisor until 1983. She and Ray divorced in 1982. Following a long-distance relationship (long before internet dating sites even existed), Darlene moved to Brandon and married single dad of three, Clare Coburn in February 1984 and so began the Wallin-Coburn blended family of seven saga.
Dee Dee had a natural ability to make everyone around her feel special and loved. She and Clare were genuinely giving and loved opening their home on Parkside Place to friends/family for an impromptu visit or a planned get-together. No matter the occasion, there was always laughter, games and a story or two. They loved their Knox Church community as well as welcoming visitors into their city through Brandon Tourist Greeters. Darlene was an amazing seamstress and would make beautiful creations for her six grandchildren. In retirement, Clare and Darlene spent many winters in the Okanagan with their two cats, Wally and Zach. In typical Darlene’s organizational fashion, I was instructed in a file labelled ‘funeral’ not to make this obituary long so it takes up too much space. I will honour that.
Darlene leaves behind her five children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Kelly (Gerald) Nickel of Turtle Lake, SK and their children and grandchildren: Chelsey (Rob) Rogers and great-grandsons, Owen and Evan. Lindsey (Tanner) Pawliw and great-granddaughter, Leah; Brad (Maggie) Wallin of Winnipeg, MB and their children: Courtney Wallin (Jack) and Brandon Wallin (Rylee); Caroline Coburn (Jason) of North Bay, ON and children Zoë Burgess and Karina Burgess; Craig (Deirdre) Coburn of Lethbridge, AB; Ian Coburn of North Saanich, BC as well as several nieces and nephews.
Darlene is predeceased by: her parents Stanley and Gladys (Howlett) Robinson; husband Clare Coburn in 2013; brother, Donald Robinson and sisters, Dorothy Gunn, Shirley Chilson and Merle Gough.
We would like to thank the amazing staff at Beacon Hill Lodge and River Park Gardens for their professional, thorough, patient and loving care of our mom during her struggles with dementia.
A Celebration of Darlene’s Life will be held at Knox United Church on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Craig Miller officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Knox United Church Memorial Fund, 451 – 18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 5A9.
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