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DARLENE TWERDUN
Born: Aug 22, 1952
Date of Passing: Jul 28, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDARLENE TWERDUN
Darlene Faye Twerdun passed away peacefully in hospice on July 28, 2026, with her husband Bob by her side. Earlier that day she was visited by her daughter Jenna and Jenna’s children. She also had virtual visits with her son Shane and her sister Debbie. The palliative nurse who was on duty told Bob that she had been performing those duties for a long time and Darlene’s final days and passing were the most peaceful she had witnessed. All of us who loved Darlene took some comfort.
Darlene was born in Shoal Lake, Manitoba on August 22, 1952, to Mike and Helen Kowaluk. She was their first born, soon joined by sister Debbie and brother Michael.
She spent her early years in Solsgirth and moved to Shoal Lake when she was in grade three. There she met her husband Bob and other lifelong friends. Upon graduating high school in 1970, Darlene moved to Winnipeg where she trained as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. She worked in that capacity in hospitals and clinics in Winnipeg, Brandon and Calgary over a span of 43 years, retiring in 2015. Patients often commented about their appreciation for her caring and supportive manner.
Darlene and Bob Twerdun were married on August 24, 1974. They moved from Winnipeg to Brandon in 1977. That was where their children were born. Son Shane in 1979 and daughter Jenna in 1981. Darlene loved being involved in her children’s activities and hosting their friends when they came to her place. In 2001 Darlene and Bob moved to Calgary when MNP relocated their head office. Upon Bob’s retirement in 2018, they moved to Vancouver Island.
Darlene was predeceased by her parents, her parents-in-law, brother-in-law Ron and sisters-in-law Emily and Pat.
She was high energy. This earned her various nicknames from coworkers, friends and acquaintances including roadrunner, energizer bunny and spitfire. After retirement, while still living in Calgary, she would shovel snow from all eight driveways on the cul-de-sac where she and Bob lived. After she and Bob announced they were moving to Vancouver Island, neighbours joked they were going to fly Darlene back to Calgary whenever there was a snowstorm.
Darlene smiled frequently, loved to laugh with others (often with brother-in-law Doug), had a wonderful sense of humour and always had a positive attitude. She was a friend to all. She would strike up a conversation with people in a check out line and learn their background before she finished paying for her purchases. She loved baseball and watching the Blue Jays.
Darlene loved music and dancing. She and Bob were always be ready to try out the dance floor at any of their favorite local music venues as well as those located in places they visited. Their travel included warm destinations Mexico, California, Arizona and Florida. European trips were comprised of Spain, England, Ireland, Germany and Austria. North American travel included Seattle, Portland, Chicago, San Diego, Miami, Scottsdale, San Antonio, Atlanta, Washington, Nashville, New York, Palm Springs, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, Toronto, and many places throughout western Canada.
As much as Darlene enjoyed travel, her absolute favourite place to be was at home with friends and family. She and Bob had close friends from their Shoal Lake, Brandon and Calgary days some of whom travelled to see Darlene in her final years when she was no longer able to travel. She was so appreciative of those special visits. Darlene loved to have her children with her and welcomed her children’s friends. If required, she was happy to be a mother to those who needed one. Jenna and her friends affectionately called her “Little Dar” and Darlene was happy to share her Darlene-isms like “that’s one for the books”, “that’s a doozy” or “the whole nine yards”.
Without question, her favourite role was grandmother. She was thrilled when Shane’s son Townes was born in 2020 followed by Jenna’s daughter Ophelia in 2021 son Holden in 2023. She adored having them visit and while able, travelling to Squamish and Vancouver to visit them there. If Bob ever lost track of Darlene while they were shopping, he knew that he could always find her in the children’s section looking for things she could buy for her grand children.
In 2021 Darlene and Bob moved to their second property on Vancouver Island, one that that Darlene absolutely loved. She was able to pursue her love of gardening and peaceful walks enjoying the natural beauty of the oceanside area all through the year. Sadly, shortly after moving here, the symptoms of her illness started appearing. Over time the disease robbed her of her physical capabilities and ability to read or play with grandchildren, cook and clean, garden, dance and ultimately talk, laugh or smile. One thing that remained with Darlene until the end was her positive attitude. Thankfully she was able to stay in her beloved home until she moved into hospice five days before her passing. Bob was able to care for her with periodic additional support from her sister Debbie who would travel to be with Darlene.
She is survived by husband Bob, son Shane and grandson Townes, daughter Jenna and granddaughter Ophelia and grandson Holden, sister Debbie (Doug), brother Micheal (Linda), and brother-in-law Barry (Lynda) as well as various nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Life is planned for summer 2027 in Manitoba.
In lieu of cash donations please donate a hug to those you love in memory of Darlene.
As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 15, 2026