Darlene M. Caban, 41, died Monday January 30, 2006 at the Baystate Medical Center after a long illness. She was born in Springfield July 14, 1964, the daughter of Thaddeus “Ted” and Barbara (Joyal) Caban of Florida. She was a lifetime Chicopee resident and was a graduate of Chicopee High School and attended Holyoke Community College.
She enjoyed reading and knitting and was a published writer of short stories and poetry. She was also a peer mentor at the Chicopee Dialysis Center who helped many patients maintain a positive attitude while undergoing treatment.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Leigh Caban-Humphrey and her husband Bruce of Westfield, and fiancé Rick Carter of Westfield. She will also be missed by her feline companion “Mars".
Funeral services will be Friday February 3rd at 9am from the Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, both in the Willimansett section of Chicopee. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are Thursday from 4 – 8pm. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813.
Please visit www.mem.com/display/biography.asp?ID=1209636
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My biggest influence was a grammar school teacher who implored us to "write the way you speak!" I feel that is what helped me developed a strong narrative voice in my articles-- I want the reader to be able to hear me talking.The major influence on my sense of humor was my friend Pat-- there are probably some forgotten 'bookleets' hidden in my closet. When we used to chat on the phone, I'd laugh so hard my stomach hurt. Humor has helped me survive dialysis.