Darlene Rich

Darlene Edith Rich (Billy) was born on October 29, 1956 to Nora Billy, in Beaver, AK. She was called to heaven on January 29, 2024 at age 67. 

Darlene was many things to many people: A wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a friend just to name a few. Her smile could light up any room she walked into and her laugh made you never want to leave. She made you feel welcome, loved and heard with every interaction. 

Sugar (as many call her), spent the second half of her life in the suburbs of Colorado with her husband Les, lovingly raising their two kids Lindsay and Ryan. Despite being away from Alaska in physical distance it never left her heart. She was filled with joy spending time sitting at the kitchen table beading earrings, barrettes, mittens and moccasins. Nothing would excite her more than getting a box of dry meat, fish strips, or sailor boy crackers. She stayed connected to her community and made sure her kids and grandson felt loved by family and friends who lived so far away. 

Darlene is survived by her husband Les; children Lindsay (Cory) and Ryan; her grandson Joel; her sisters Barbara Andon, Dorothea Adams, Patricia Bassette, Birdie Billy and Pearl Theonnes. 

Greeting Darlene in heaven is mother Nora Billy; grandparents Snoko & Mary Billy; grandmother Charlotte Adams; sisters Sherron Cates & Mary D. Billy; aunts Mabel Wiehl, Edith Billy, Clara Joseph, Alta Ranum, Elizabeth Newman & Betty Wiehl; uncles Edward, Samuel, Clyde, John & Sweeney Billy; Clinton, Alfred & Henry Wiehl, and Archie Brown; mother-in-law Claire Rich; father-in-law Harry Rich; godmother Elsie Pitka

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 11:00am, at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 7577 W. 80th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80003. A reception celebrating Darlene’s life will follow.

Additionally, there will be a memorial service held in Alaska, this summer, which will be announced at a later date.