Darlene Horvath, loving mother, housewife, and religious education director, passed away on Christmas Eve morning, December 24. She died from natural causes, and was 86 years old.
Darlene Irene Horvath was born in Kokomo, Indiana on July 13, 1937, to parents Francis L. and Beatrice E. (Beasey) O’Harra. She was the eldest of three, having younger sisters Karen and Vicky. Darlene and family resided in Kokomo for all of her childhood, and attended Kokomo High, where she sung in the chorus and ultimately met William Foust, who would become her first husband.
Darlene married William in 1956, and joined him at Harvard, where he studied linguistics and applied mathematics, and afterward held a variety of positions with computer software companies. The couple resided in Cambridge, Massachusetts initially, and then relocated to Minnesota, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey for progressing employment opportunities. They had four children together, and Darlene was a dedicated housewife and their primary caretaker as William focused on his career and frequent travel. Later she worked as an office manager for 20 years, most notably for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation.
She was active throughout her life in Unitarian Universalism, starting with the UU First Parish in Cambridge, followed by the Cherry Hill, NJ, Main Line, PA, Morristown, NJ and Boca Raton churches and fellowships. She served as RE Director while attending the Cherry Hill fellowship. Darlene loved doing artwork, holiday crafts, cuddling with pets, going out for lunch with friends, and traveling with family.
Subsequently, after a divorce from William in 1982, she married Albert Horvath, a draftsman who had served in both the Army and Navy during World War II. After their respective children emptied the nests, they resided happily together in Lake Hopatcong, NJ and then Pembroke Pines, FL, for a total 25 years, until Albert’s death. Darlene finally moved to Hendersonville, NC in 2015, where she lived peacefully for her remaining years, in close proximity to her eldest daughter.
Darlene is survived by her children, Steven Lee, David Eugene, Diana Jean, and Suzanne Lea, and her granddaughter Stephanie.
Jackson Funeral Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.