Darlene Boley Rude Stratton, born July 3, 1937 passed away at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland on Sunday September 3, 2006.

Darlene was born to Norman Oliver Boley and Gulveig Goldie Caroline Bide Boley in Bellingham and lived in Richland for 30 years, having lived previously in the Bellingham area.

She was married for 27 years to Wayne Hilary Rude until his death in June 1980. She then again met and married a new love of her life, best friend and husband of 25 years, Carl Ross Stratton, at home in Richland along with their cat Boomer.

She greatly loved her family of many children, Carolynn Joe Coyne of Kennewick WA, Cathy Bryan Bell Tobin of Vancouver WA, Danny Sylvia Rude of Rio Rancho NM, Colleen Luke Almaden Stowell of Des Moines WA, Corey Kim Stratton of Benton City WA and Craig Cynthia Stratton of Weatherford TX.

She was also proud grandmother to 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

She deeply loved her mom and dad, John Johnny Macrae Smith, who passed away before her and though she had no biological sisters, she had 2 very close ''sisters by choice'' - special double-cousin Joy Kaufman of Ferndale and Norma Williams of Kennewick.

We are honoring her request for cremation and no services, though donations can be made to the American Heart Association in her memory.