Darlene Keller

Darlene Jean Keller, age 74, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world on Sunday afternoon May 1, 2022.

She was born on December 11, 1947, in Islip, New York to Alwed and Jean Bennett. She grew up there with her brother Collins. After high school Darlene met the love of her life, her husband, Franklin W. Keller, and moved to Jacksonville Beach where they raised their family.
For many years, Darlene worked in the paralegal profession while raising her family of five children. She was an amazing cook and loved to bake. She had immense love for her pets. She was an avid bowler in her younger adult life and enjoyed making her own ceramics. Later in life, she loved visiting antique stores and lunching with family and friends. Her hobbies included painting, crochet, cross stitch, knitting and sewing. She was the ultimate homemaker and the rock of her family.

Darlene was strong beyond measure in her battle with lung cancer and breast cancer in which she survived both. She had a resilience in overcoming great difficulties especially the loss of her beloved husband, Frank in 2018. She passed away quickly and peacefully with all of her family by her side. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
Darlene was preceded in death by her father, Alwed Bennett; mother, Jean Bennett; brother, Collins Bennett, and her husband of 42 years Franklin W. Keller. She is survived by her daughter, Shannon Weaver (Joe) of Tampa, FL; daughter Kelly Smith (Dan) of Jacksonville FL; daughter Sirena Lee (Craig) of Pensacola FL; son Franklin D. Keller of Jacksonville FL; son Heath Keller (Lyndsay) of Jacksonville FL and her 14 grandchildren, McGuire, Ryann, Savannah, Jackie, Jerrimee, Colby, Victor, Alyssa, Jacob, Justin, Brandon, Mikey, Gavin, Mandy and 9 great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service at 10:00 AM Friday, May 6, 2022, at Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home, 3600 Third Street South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Lung Association (www.lung.org) or The Breast Cancer Organization (https://give.breastcancer:org/).