Darlene Kelsey, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died at the age of 85 on February 16, 2024.

She was born August 14, 1938, in Lisbon, NH, the daughter of the late Howard and Barbara (Spreadbury) Hubbard of Williston, Vermont.

Darlene met her high school sweetheart, Dean Kelsey, while attending St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. They married in 1957 then traveled to and lived many places during Dean's 21 years in the US Air Force. Together they have lived in Florida, France, California,
New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Portsmouth, Merrimack, and Manchester, NH.

Darlene was an accomplished seamstress, sewing much of her own clothing and home accessories, and those for her daughters and grandchildren. She enjoyed quilting, home decorating and gardening, and always kept her home and landscaping beautiful. She loved music and dance. Darlene and Dean enjoyed square dancing Friday nights at Hampton Beach and were Presidents of Seacoast Square Dance Club. A successful business owner, Darlene owned and operated Darlene's Hair Design in Rye and Portsmouth NH.

After retirement, Dean and Darlene moved to Ocala, Florida, where Darlene designed their home that they had built. After moving back to NH to be near their daughters, she organized a quilting group at the John O'Leary Community Center in Merrimack. She created a monthly display to decorate the dining room for Meals on Wheels, maintained the perennial flower bed of their homeowners' association, and cleaned up Woodbury St. under the Adopt-a-Highway program. Darlene enjoyed researching and learning about her family genealogy, driving all
around NH to do so.

We will fondly remember her saying, "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!"

She is survived by her husband, Dean, of 66 years, and her brother, Howard Hubbard Jr. of Queensbury, NY, her daughters Deborah Russell (Wayne) of Derry, NH, and Donna Chisholm (Joe) of Hampton, NH, her grandchildren, Logan Russell (girlfriend Briana Colangelo and her
daughter, Brooke Simms), Orion (Sarah) Russell, Shannon Chisholm, and Meagan Johnson (Ross). She is also survived by one great-grandson, Pierce Russell. Darlene was predeceased by her sister, Nancy Urban.

At Darlene's request, a private family burial at the Last Rest Cemetery in Merrimack, NH will be held in the Spring.