Cathleen Bessie Darnel

Cathleen Bessie Darnel, cherished wife, mother and sister, died June 13th, in a nursing care center near her home in Florence, Kentucky. She was sixty-eight years of age.

She was born Cathleen Bessie McGuire on October 16, 1956 at Warner Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia to William Eddis McGuire and Anna Stapara-McGuire, and would be the eldest of two daughters.

Child of a military family, Cathleen spent her childhood and teenage years in multiple locations including Massachusetts, Germany, Greece, Indiana, Hawaii and Nebraska. She attended Kearney State College and graduated after three years with a Bachelors of Science in Recreation Management.

She met her husband, Marlin Lee Darnel, in 1978. They were married, May 17th, 1980 at the Evangelical Free Church in Kearney, NE.

Following Marlin's career, Cathleen would continue to travel throughout their married life, living in various locations within the state of Nebraska as well as in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and finally Kentucky, where she resided from 2012 until her death. Together, Cathleen and Marlin would have two sons.

Cathleen was a very practical, confident, fearless and decisive person, creating order out of chaos and surmounting each and every challenge that came her way or threatened those she loved. She loved to read, especially historical novels and the works of authors, Louis Lamour, Dick Francis and Vince Flynn, in addition to the Holy Scriptures. She enjoyed show tunes, Irish music and military films. As a young woman she was very fond of the water. She would serve as a life guard, pool manager and swim instructor, once creating and teaching a popular class for beginners titled "Absolutely Terrified To Swim." Cathleen was a regular church attender at all times, and upon occasion served as a Sunday school teacher and Awana leader. She brought up her children to understand the Gospel and live upright lives where learning was fostered, independence was encouraged and self-pity was not tolerated.

Pleasant memories of Cathleen include family discussions that took place while driving to see relatives over the holidays, long phone calls when family members were geographically distant, walks with her around the neighborhood in the early days (which she began doing again only a couple years ago), tending to the vegetable garden and enjoying family game nights. She had an ability to make even mundane memories seem fascinating. Her stories of life in Greece and Hawaii, and of her parents' experiences during the Depression and in World War II, never grew old.

In the last few years of life, Cathleen struggled with health issues. She suffered two bouts of cancer but courageously overcame both and was determined to regain full health. However, thereafter she developed an aggressive form of dementia which would affect her greatly, mentally as well as physically. By God's mercy, this condition altered Cathleen's personality in such a way that she actually grew more joyous and focused on Christ in a way she hadn't before. During hospitalizations this past year, many voices suggested that it was best to merely allow the disease to end Cathleen's life prematurely. Yet remembering that the purpose of life is not only to enjoy times of peace but to overcome times of hardship, her family chose to continue treatment, extending her days in this world and providing many more moments of quiet interaction until she inevitably passed away naturally. To the very end, it appeared that Cathleen could recognize those around her, and we hope this brought her both peace and happiness.

Cathleen was preceded in death by both her parents. She is survived by her husband, Marlin, her sons Jonathan and Neal, and by her sister Amy McGuire.

A celebration of Cathleen's life will take place on Saturday, July 19th at 2:00 pm at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence, KY. Anyone may attend. Those who cannot, but who have memories of Cathleen that they wish to share are encouraged to email them to jwd_ww@yahoo.com or send a text to 419-889-0879. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Voice of the Martyrs or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

The family appreciates your prayers and condolences at this time.