Darlene Kalil

On Friday, September 17 2021, a much loved member of the community passed. Darlene Mary Kalil, a loving sister, aunt, cousin and friend, joined her heavenly family at the age of 68 due to complications from a severe car accident.

Darlene was born on September 4, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York to loving parents, Marguerite and Joe Kalil.  She graduated from St. Brendan's High School and attended Brooklyn College where she earned her MBA in Education and a second MBA in Curriculum Development. She tried her hand at teaching for a while before she decided to change careers.  She worked at the World Trade Center in Manhattan as an Operations Manager at E.D.& F.Man for 12 years.  Darlene decided to move to join her brother and family in Texas in 1998 where she worked for TD Ameritrade as a Learning & Development Manager from 1999 until her retirement in August 2020.

Darlene volunteered at 4PAWS where she had been the treasurer since 2002.  She had a love for pets and animals and made it her mission to find homes for needy pets.  She adored all animals, except cats, and had an obsession with finding Moose.

She dedicated her life to her family and was a support to everyone.  Whether it was going on the annual family cruise, planning a vacation, visiting with cousins, watching her great-niece’s dance competitions, or simply talking on the phone, Darlene always kept her family close to her heart.  She embodied the best of family, and that is a treasure we carry in our hearts forever.

Friends were nothing Darlene was short of.  She was a social butterfly who, when she wasn’t with family, was with her friends.  Planning a get together, late night phone calls, game nights, and adventurous trips with her best friends were just some of the things Darlene did.  She had nicknames for some of her closest lifelong friends, high school pals, Popo's and Moigy.  She had an infectious laugh and always wanted everyone to be happy no matter what they were doing.

The beach was Darlene's happy place and she always dreamed of moving to the beach after her retirement.  Darlene was loved by so many people.  She touched many lives with her eccentric and fun personality.  She will be deeply missed by all and she will always be remembered.

Survivors:  Niece, Donna Sauma and husband, Brian Hayden; nephews, George Sauma and Joseph Kalil and wife, Pam; sister in law, BettyJoe Kalil: great niece, Madelyn Hayden: great nephew, Anthony Sauma; loving cousins and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Benbrook 4PAWS, www.4pawsinc.org or Second Chance farm in Granbury, www.secondchancefarmgranbury.org.

Funeral Mass:  11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 29th at St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church, 1201 S. Cherry St., Fort Worth, Texas.  Visitation:  5-7:00 p.m., Tuesday at Winscott Road Funeral Home, 1001 Winscott Road, Benbrook, Texas 76126.  Burial:  Greenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth 76108.