Darlene P. Desmarais

Darlene P. (Bentz) Desmarais, 80, a resident of Springbrook Nursing Care Center is reunited with her husband, Gerard, after a 15 year battle with Alzheimer's. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.Darlene was born in Fairfax, South Dakota in September 1935, into the family of 13 children of Fred and Lydia Bentz. She attended local schools. She moved to Rapid City after high school and met the love of her life, Gerard Desmarais, of Sanford, Maine, who was in the Air Force. They built a long life together and were stationed in Shepherd AFB (Wichita Falls, TX), Pease AFB (Portsmouth, NH), Castle AFB (Merced, CA), and Wurtsmith AFB (Oscoda, MI). After Gerard retired from the Air Force in 1981, they moved to Sanford, Maine. She was an active participant and communicant of St. Ignatius Church for many years.Darlene's first priority was her family. She was a homemaker and took pride in making sure the house was clean and tidy and home cooked meals were ready every day. She always had a loving smile and an infectious laugh that made you feel comfortable. She enjoyed the time spent with her grandchildren and always wanted to help in their nurturing.Darlene was predeceased by her husband CMSGT Gerard Desmarais, USAF, Ret.; her son-in-law Alan Morin; three brothers and two sisters.Surviving are four children, Juliana Morin of Standish, Lynn Kirby and her husband Greg of Eastport, MI, Chris Desmarais and his wife Patricia (Shaw), of Springvale and Stacie Perry and her husband Anthony of Gorham; grandchildren, Adam and Nathan Morin, Ashley Desmarais, Krista Christensen and her husband Corey, Marin and William Perry, Andrew Shaw and his wife Cintrece and Rebecca Shaw; great-grandchildren, Jacob Rogers and Connor Shaw; six sisters, one brother and many nieces and nephews.Darlene will be missed by all who knew her and remembered for her joy of the small things and love of family and friends.The family wishes to extend their thanks to all the staff at Springbrook for their wonderful care, support and friendship during her seven years as a resident. A special thanks to the staff on the 3rd floor - King Unit who were instrumental in making her journey a peaceful one.Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 4th at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home located at 580 Main Street in Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 5th at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church which is located on North Avenue in Sanford. Interment will be in the spring at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route one, Suite 2C, Scarborough, Maine 04074.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.