Darlene Honare Davis

Darlene Honare Davis passed away on Friday, January 6, 2023, in her home, at the age of 82.

Darlene was born to Charles R. Thomas and Yvonne C. Flansburg on November 2, 1940 in Modesto, California. She enjoyed spending many of her young childhood days chasing chickens and playing at her aunt and uncle's ranch. She and her parents moved to Montana, where her sister Judy was born in 1945. Growing up in rural Montana, Darlene found joy in riding her horse. She would ride her horse to the one-room schoolhouse where she studied. She attended high school at Havre High School, where she enjoyed art and was a member of the Future Homemakers of America. While in high school, Darlene met a handsome young Air Force man named Donald R. Davis, who would be the love of her life. Don and Darlene were married in the summer after she graduated high school, on August 17, 1959. Darlene attended nursing school in Montana while their young family grew. Together Darlene and Don had three sons, Jon, Robert, and Michael, and two daughters, Dawn and Andrea. After Don finished his military service and graduated from Montana State University, the Davis family relocated to the Walla Walla Valley, where they lived together for the past 53 years.

Darlene worked as a nurse on the labor and delivery floor of St. Mary's Medical Center, where she welcomed many babies into the world. After some time, she retired from nursing to focus more of her energy on raising her own sweet children. Darlene was an amazing homemaker; she kept her home in order and helped her children learn and grow. She inspired much love, kindness, and laughter. Darlene was an exceptional cook whose specialty was Italian food. She learned many of her Italian recipes and cooking skills from the Italian family who owned the sheep ranch she grew up on. Darlene was well known for baking some of the most delicious and well-decorated cakes anyone had ever had and was hired by many people to make cakes for special occasions. Later she reentered the workforce and worked at McDonald-Zaring Insurance as a receptionist until she fully retired. As her children grew and began to have their own families, Darlene became a grandmother to eight, great-grandmother to fifteen, and great-great-grandmother to one. She valued family very much and hosted regular dinners and gatherings in her home where both friends and family would come together to partake of her wonderful home-cooked meals and share an evening of joyful company.

Darlene and Don loved animals greatly; they had several dogs over the years and a couple of cats as well. At one point, Don brought home a skunk who became a family pet named Pepé Le Pew. Like many people, Pepé loved Darlene more than anyone else. Darlene enjoyed many adventures with Don and their faithful four-legged companions as they hiked and explored some of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest. Some of her favorite adventures were those that took place on the Oregon Coast. She loved the sandy beaches and watching the waves crash into the shore. Darlene was a supporter of the Blue Mountain Humane Society and attended the Fur Ball each October with her daughter, Dawn. She enjoyed this evening because it supported the pets, of course, but she also appreciated the excuse to dress up fancy for the evening. Darlene was one of the finest dressers in town and used any occasion as an occasion to wear high heels, jewelry, and create a fully coordinated ensemble.

Darlene's life had many challenges, but she always overcame them with the most positive outlook possible and used her strength to carry others through the difficult, dreary days. She cared for her husband and children during times of sickness, injury, or sadness and loss. Her daughter Andrea passed away after a long battle with ovarian cancer in 2005. Although Darlene said that the loss of a child was one of the hardest things she had to do, she pressed forward and found ways to continue to smile and be a light unto those who continued to rely on her.

In Darlene's later years, she enjoyed time with friends and was a member of the "Breakfast Club," who met as a group of spry hens each Friday morning to eat breakfast at various local diners, sip coffee, chatter, and cackle, while enjoying each other's company.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Yvonne Thomas, her sister, Judy Thomas, and her daughter Andrea Gascon. She is survived by her husband, Don Davis; 4 children, Jon Davis, Dawn Barer, Robert Davis, and Michael Davis; 8 grandchildren, Miranda, Shawna, Stephen, Daniel, Bailey, Nicholas, Brook, and Kristen; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 10:30 am in the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla. A reception will immediately follow at the Marshall Home next door to the funeral home.

If you wish to send cards or flowers, they may be delivered to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.