Darlene Wilma Green

Darlene Wilma Green July 1, 1938 - May 1, 2024 Darlene Wilma Green, 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 1 in Denver, CO. Despite years of health concerns, Darlene was a fighter to the very end. A native of Colorado, Darlene was born on July 1, 1938, in Walsenburg to William and Esther Bressan. Growing up in Grand Junction, she attended and graduated from Grand Junction High School. After graduation, she took classes at Mesa Junior College before moving to Denver and working at Martin Marietta. Always up for an adventure, Darlene moved to Georgetown to experience life as a ski bum. In Georgetown, she married her first husband and gave birth to her daughter, Dina in 1963. She eventually returned to Grand Junction and married Doug Green, with whom she had her second daughter, Darshay in 1970. In Grand Junction, Darlene began her career with the State of Colorado where she became a juvenile parole officer. In this capacity, Darlene was pivotal in supporting countless youth in finding a positive path. She retired from this work, but given her incredible impact, she was lured back to become the Director of an alternative education program. A beautiful woman inside and out, Darlene made friends everywhere she went. She did her best to balance a demanding job with loving and caring for her family and maintaining strong friendships throughout her life. This included her fur babies. Darlene's dogs brought her much companionship and joy. She stayed active, enjoying water and snow skiing, tennis, fishing, coffee with friends, cheering on the Broncos, and reading the latest James Patterson novel or any book she could get her hands on. She was a style icon who could turn heads in every setting. In her later years, she moved from Colorado to Arizona to be close to her grandson Nik and great-granddaughter Ava. She came back to Denver, where she lived in the care of Darshay till her final days. Darlene made an indelible mark on everyone who met her with her quick wit, charm, and elegance. Though our sorrow is immense, we will cherish our memories with this legendary woman. She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Esther Bressan, and her siblings, Barb Butler and Bob Bressan. She is survived by her daughters Dina McElley (Doug) and Darshay Green, grandson Nik McElley, great-granddaughter Ava, and extended family members and countless friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to a charity that prioritizes animal welfare.