The family of John and Darlene Davies invite all to join the Trinity community to remember and honor the lives of John and Darlene. Darlene passed away in 2020, and John passed last January. Their sons have planned a service in celebration of their lives to be held here at Trinity this July. We remember them both lovingly, not only as members of our church, but as generous and much loved citizens of Washington Island.
The service will be at 11:00 a.m., with a light lunch to follow. Gifts of salads, side dishes, and desserts will be welcomed.
Darlene Mae Davies, 82 of Washington Island, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at Bellin Memorial Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Darlene was born in April of 1938 in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Louis and Ella Anselmini. Darlene grew up in Chicago and graduated from Lake View High School. She met her husband, John, through a mutual friend and the two were united in marriage on October 17, 1959. She and her husband lived and raised their three sons in Highland Park, Illinois and were members of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church. Darlene earned her certificate to become a paralegal through Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. She was hired by the Cook County Department of Corrections as the head of their law library and established all of the libraries for the jail. Darlene was then offered a job to manage the law library of former Cook County State’s Attorney and Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley.
In 1997, Darlene and John retired to Washington Island, where they and their three sons had built a vacation/retirement home. Darlene and John became members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Darlene enjoyed her time volunteering at the Twice Around Shop and was a member of Washington Island Women’s Club. She loved to travel, both domestically and internationally. She also enjoyed cooking and celebrating her Italian heritage. Every March 19, she would host and prepare dishes at Trinity Lutheran Church for St. Joseph’s Table, a traditional memorial meal to honor St. Joseph (the patron Saint of Italy, among other countries).
Darlene is survived by her husband, John; sons, Andrew (Maria Lia), Gordon (True) and James (Juliet); grandchildren, Paige, Alex and Robert (step); younger brothers, Richard and Jerry; and many nieces and nephews.
John passed peacefully at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Darlene (nee Anselmini). He had three sons: Andy (Maria Lia); Gordon (True); and James (Juliet) and two grandchildren, Paige and Alexander. He also had four step-grandchildren: Robert, Miles, Francis, and Sophia.
Stories of his life include his early years in Montreal, his move to Grand Rapids, Michigan in his teen years, followed by attending Michigan State University and Northwestern University. He was an Army veteran, stationed in Germany and throughout Europe, serving as a portrait artist to generals and their wives.
He began his career as an apprentice at the commercial art studio of Stephens, Biondi, DeCicco in Chicago. John was running the studio at the time of its closing, upon the passing of the last owner. He then opened up his own studio, Prairieville Studios in Chicago. John closed the studio in 1997, and he and Darlene retired to Washington Island, Wisconsin.
John did a lot of volunteering in retirement, including being a long time hospice aide and delivering Meals on Wheels. John served as a Flotilla Commander with the Auxiliary Coast Guard. John recognized a need, and initiated the creation of the Washington Island Food Pantry, housed at Trinity Lutheran Church. Additionally, John also painted portraits of many prominent people on the island. He has had his work displayed at the Washington Island Art and Nature Center, at several local museums and other public buildings on the island, notably in the Rutledge Room, where approximately 8-9 of his portraits are currently displayed. John and Darlene were both active members of Trinity Lutheran Church, with John serving on the Church Council, ushering, and helping any way that they could.
After announcing his passing to family and friends, the most common memory of John has been the sparkle in his eyes when he smiled, which he did a lot.
A memorial gathering for both John and Darlene (who passed during the Covid pandemic) will be held this summer on Washington Island on Saturday, July 12th, at Trinity Lutheran Church. A lunch and time of fellowship will follow the service, which begins at 11:00 a.m.
