Darlene Gayle (Jacobsen) Sanders, 61, of New Bedford, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday June 18th 2024. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Evelyn (Tetrault) Jacobsen.
Darlene was a beautiful and kind soul who could have a conversation with anyone. She had the "gift of gab" and had several friends and acquaintances in her community who she saw regularly and exchanged details with about her day to day. She could be seen beaming from ear to ear talking about her children and grandchildren, the absolute lights of her life. She loved flowers and all things feminine: anything pink, bright, or sparkly. Darlene had a green thumb and loved interior design as well as fashion, romance novels, and was always up for a fun day of shopping. She was also a really good cook.
Originally from the Freetown area, Darlene was a cheerleader and on the track team at Apponequet High School. She was extremely popular amongst her peers. After high school Darlene worked at a local company, Isotronics, before she eventually got married and became a homemaker and raised her children.
Like many, Darlene struggled with addiction at one point in her life. Saying that she was relentless in her quest for recovery would be an understatement. To see someone pick themselves back up time and time again despite the most unfair setbacks and life circumstances is remarkable. Darlene was recently 8 years sober and always said she wished she had gotten sober sooner. Her life in sobriety allowed her to live with the peace and vitality she had been working for.
Darlene is survived by her 4 children: Ashley Sanders of New Bedford, Sarah Sears and her husband Jared of Fairhaven, Kristina Tetreault and her husband Joey of Fairhaven, Matthew Sanders and his fiance Savannah Holmstrom of Acushnet, her siblings: Donald Jacobsen and his wife Elizabeth of Dartmouth, Dennis Jacobsen and his wife Lauren of Fairhaven, Gary Jacobsen and his wife Claudia of Fairhaven, Rick Jacobsen and his wife Martha of San Francisco. She is the sister of the late Kenneth H. Jacobsen. Darlene is also survived by several grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
In accordance with her wishes she will be cremated, her services humbly entrusted to Southcoast & Boyko Funeral Homes, 1555 Pleasant Street, Fall River, MA. A memorial will be held in the future to celebrate her life.
Please leave a condolence message or your favorite memory of Darlene "Celebrating a Life Well Lived" on the Southcoast Funeral Home Website.