Darlene Mitchell passed away on August 30,2026, at the age of 84, leaving behind a lifetime filled with family, faith, service, adventures, and countless memories shared with those who knew and loved her.

Darlene was born in Spokane and grew up in Hillyard, surrounded by a large, close-knit Italian family. Her loving family helped develop her strong faith, values and acceptance of everyone she met. She attended Columbia for elementary and middle school and Rogers High school. Later in life she went on to obtain her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Gonzaga University.

Darlene fell in love and married James Milton Mitchell to begin her family and life as a military wife at a very young age. Life as the wife of an enlisted Marine was not easy, but she did have the opportunity to travel almost every two years to different duty stations across the United States and Japan.

Darlene also enjoyed a long and varied career as an administrative assistant. Over the years she worked for Mutual of Omaha, the US Army, Oceanside police Department, and 20 years at Gonzaga University in the Religious Studies Department. Her years at Gonzaga helped to strengthen her faith and enabled her to develop friendships and memories that extended far beyond the workplace. Part of her responsibilities at Gonzaga was to guide the priests and nuns on tours throughout Rome, the Vatican, Jerusalem, and the Holy Lands. Darlene also became a steadfast Zag’s fan and season ticket holder. She went on trips across the country to cheer on her favorite basketball team.

Darlene’s journey was a full one, and she will be deeply missed. She leaves behind 3 children, Jim, Deborah, and Sandee, 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and countless cousins, friends and extended family. The positive impact and love Darlene shared will continue to grow in the hearts of everyone who knew her.