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At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Munson Healthcare Foundation; Women's Cancer Fund
1150 Medical Campus Dr.
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 935-6482
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Life Story / Obituary


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Darlene Gayle Sims, 73, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Saturday July 26th, 2014 at Munson Medical Center.

Darlene was born June 9th, 1941 in Flint, MI to the late Robert H. Homan and Ann M. (Gates) Homan. Dar always loved to share stories of her parents, childhood memories and how she was part big sister, part mother to her younger sibling Carol Lee.

Dar graduated from Traverse City High School in 1959. Soon after, she moved to Santa Barbara, CA and married Edward L. Sims in December 1959. She gave birth to their daughter Deborah Ann, in 1964. While living in California, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family, being a hostess to social parties, traveling and her bowling league. She and Ed were divorced in 1977 and moved back to Traverse City, with Debby, in 1978.

Once back in her beloved hometown, she worked several years as an automotive manufacturer. She held her born again Christian faith close to her heart. She prayed often, especially for others, to find hope, health and happiness. She appreciated the slower paced life, the changing seasons, the fresh water and sitting on the porch, watching nature and her flowers bloom.

She embraced the life as a grandmother, first in 1983, with the birth of Shara Marie Davis and again in 1991, with the birth of Heather Lee Carroll. When they were younger, she loved watching the girls after school, running through leaves at the park and entertaining them with her costume jewelry collection. Once they were grown, she enjoyed putting together puzzles, playing video games and chatting about life. This May, she was able to proudly announce that she was a new great grandmother. She was elated to spend her last birthday holding and playing with her newly born, great grandson.

Darlene is still survived by her daughter, Deborah Sims; granddaughters, Shara (Derek) Ekins and Heather Carroll; great grandson, Wyatt Ekins; sister Carol (Frank) Mosher; niece, Michelle Parks; ”second daughter” Nina Conners and all the other friends and family that she loved dearly. The bonds she created will now be forever kept in the memories of all the lives she touched.

Thank you to Nina for being a constant companion and helping her with her everyday needs. Thank you to all the staff at Munson Medical Center that helped her through until the end of her earthly life. Thank you to God for answering her prayers by allowing her to meet her great grandson and say farewell to her family before taking her to her eternal life. Her family will remember her privately. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Munson Healthcare Foundation; designate, Women's Cancer Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign the guest book and share a message with her family. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.