Darlene Howard

Darlene "Dee" Howard, 72 a 30 year Malaga resident and longtime business woman, passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Central Washington Hospital. She was born on November 28, 1938 at Dishman, Washington to Robert Melvin & Nellie Violet (Coolbaugh) Dickey. At an early age the family moved to the Renton area where she received her schooling. She graduated from the Renton High School in 1957. She became a school bus driver for the Kent and Auburn School Districts. She met and was later married to Donald Wytman Howard on June,1, 1963 in DesMoines Washington. They made their first home together in Kent later moving to Sumner. In November of 1978 they moved to Wenatchee and opened the 7-Eleven store on the north end on December 13th of that year. Together, they operated the north end store until 1993 when, they traded for the south end 7-Eleven store. They retired in October of 2010 an have since continued to make their home in Malaga. She was a member of the American Legion Post 10 Auxiliary, Auburn Eagles Auxiliary, 8 et 40, the Appleatchee Saddle Club, Washington State Horseman and Wenatchee Women's Bowling Association. She enjoyed boating, going out on the Party Barge, Wenatchee Wild Hockey, and her loving pets, Daisy Mae, Draco and Smoky Joe. She is survived by her husband, Donald W. Howard, Malaga, WA, one son and daughter-in-law, Lonnie Dean (Suzanne Lynne) Howard, Wenatchee, WA, and daughter Tracie Lynn Howard, Wenatchee, WA, sister, Roberta M. Unser, Seattle, WA her granddaughter, Megan Lynn Howard, Wenatchee, WA and their god-children, Gene and Lizetta Kelly, Puyallup, Ozzie Reeves, East Wenatchee, WA, Shannon Fadden Davis of Malaga, WA. Darlene is preceded in death by her parents; Robert Melvin and Nellie Violet Dickey, and brother, Melvin Eugene Dickey. A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Sunday, September 18th at 1:00pm at the American Legion Post 10, 208 N. Wenatchee Ave. with Chaplain Scott Langager officiating. Friends who wish to make Memorial Donations to: 40 et 8 Nursing Training Scholarship Fund through American Legion Post 10. You are invited to view her online tribute, photos and leave condolences at www.heritagememorialchapel.com. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Darlene Howard

November 28, 1938 - September 14, 2011