Darlene Grant

Darlene Grant died in the early evening hours of Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona following a lengthy illness. She was 45 years old. Darlene was born to her parents, the late Patrick Donaldson Grant and her mother, Katherine Jane (Fall) Grant. While still a baby, Darlene moved to Arizona with her family. She was a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Following her high school education, Darlene attended college and received the necessary education to become a hydrologist in the farming industry. She was well-liked and very dependable to everyone with whom she worked. Darlene also possessed excellent handiwork and homemaking skills. Through out her life, she made many, many beadwork designs, including jewelry, and made dozens of traditional outfits. She loved to sew and quilt and many of her creations, given as gifts to family and friends, are now considered to be priceless treasures. Darlene had a deep and abiding love for her large family. She was loved so very much by each member of her family and she, in turn, loved them right back. Her children relied upon and depended upon her as the matriarch of their family. She truly had a special and unconditional love for each of her children. In fact, Darlene loved and was a friend to ALL children. She truly was a friend to everyone. She never met a stranger and she considered everyone to be her friend. Darlene was the life of every party and the joy in every crowd. She had a moral values and had a very strong sense of and appreciation for her traditional beliefs. Because of her beliefs, Darlene felt a special appreciation to her Apache as well as her Pima ancestors and heritage. She was proud of who she was and enjoyed sharing her wisdom with whomever would listen. This beautiful and dynamic woman, who was a true friend to all, will be missed dearly by everyone but, none will miss her more than those within her own family. Darlene is survived by her 4 children; Daniel (Kyra) Gatewood, April Gatewood, Grant Gatewood, Arianna Taylor: her mother, Katherine Grant; 4 grandchildren: Drake Gatewood, Shyelle Gatewood, Xavier Shroulote, Vada Gatewood; 2 brothers: Leon Grant, Anthony Grant; 2 sisters: Berni Minjarrez, Nissa Kessay; traditional Godparents: Ronnie Lupe, Margie Grimes; traditional Goddaughters: Farrah Henry, Dorthea Wycliff, Clarice Victor and by her baptismal Goddaughter, Ashley Kessay. The Wake for Darlene will begin 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the Grant Family residence: 2804 E. Stockman Road in Fort Apache, Arizona. The funeral service will also take place at the Grant Family residence, beging promptly at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 10, 2013. Immediately following the funeral service the concluding graveside service and interment will take place at the Canyon Day Cemetery.