In Memoriam: Darlene Lea Whiting

DARLENE LEA WHITING
OCT. 31, 1936 – NOV. 14, 2019

Darlene Whiting moved to this valley Jan. 1, 1989, becoming the secretary at Canyon Lake Community Church and serving there for almost 11 years. She and her husband, Doug, were life members of the Canyon Lake Twirlers, serving as secretary, president and treasurer during more than 20 years of dancing. They lived in Canyon Lake from 1997 to 2011.

Life for Darlene was service. She served in schools as PTA president, Brownie leader, substitute teacher and volunteer. Darlene filled many roles in churches: notably, Sunday School superintendent, VBS coordinator, teacher and choir member.

She was the camp registrar for the Southwest District of the Evangelical Free Church, served on the Women’s Ministry Board, and as coordinator of ministerial conferences. Diamond Bar Ev. Free Church and Canyon Lake Community Church knew her as their church secretary.

Darlene loved music. As a young woman, she learned to play both violin and piano. She participated in many choirs and sang in trios and ensembles throughout her life. She was well known by many at Music California, an event she looked forward to every year.

She led a children’s choir at the Ev. Free Church of Orange, presenting many music drama/productions for the community. After retirement as secretary at CL Community Church, she led a children’s choir program and was one of many pianists for services at Sun City Gardens.

People were important to Darlene. She loved children. Generations of family photos decorated the walls of her home.

Although she collected many things, it was the pictures she shared with her visitors, along with the personal stories of the lives represented. She is survived by three of her four siblings, four children, 14 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. She will be missed by one and all.

We will celebrate her life at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, at Canyon Lake Community Church.