Darlene Marie Stapp

February, 22, 1944 - January, 09, 2023

Darlene Marie Stapp, Age 78 of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on January 9, 2023.

Darlene was born on February 22, 1944, to Daisy Lane Stapp and Clarence Arnold Stapp, also of Louisville. Darlene was a 1963 Graduate of Louisville Male High School and studied Liberal Arts/Creative Writing at Jefferson Community and Technical College. Darlene retired from The Lang Company and worked for them for many years. Her true passions were outside of the work place, though.

If anyone has ever talked with Darlene, one thing is for certain… she has shared stories about The Cabbage Patch Settlement House. This is a place that offers counseling and family services, educational opportunities, and youth development and recreation programs for children in the area. Darlene attended the Cabbage Patch as a young girl, then as a leader and volunteer in her young adult and adult years. She made so many life-long friends here, and loved to be able to give back to the children of the Cabbage Patch. One of the stories recently shared was that her and another leader had an upcoming hiking and camping trip, so Darlene decided they needed to pack up their backpacks with 30 plus pounds of can goods and then put them on their backs and go hiking through Iroquois Park so they could get in shape for their trip. She was up for any and every adventure planned. The Cabbage Patch held the most special place in Darlene’s heart. She also spent time with The Corn Island Story Telling Festival, telling stories, and attending Powwow’s and learning about the Native American culture.

Another passion for Darlene was horses. She spent a lot of her time with her horse which she boarded at the Houchin Farm in Valley Station. She told many stories about the Houchin family and the times of taking horseback rides and leading others on trails throughout the farm and adjoining Jefferson Forest. Other families also boarded their horses here, and she spent a lot of time helping out Dorothy and Keith Houchin and the others on the farm and thought of everyone as family.

Darlene had so many accomplishments and credits that are note-worthy. She loved Gardening, and had so many colorful flowers and grew vegetables of all kinds. She was an artist, and could draw and paint some of the most beautiful pictures. She was a published writer, and has a book that can be checked out at the Louisville Public Library. She is a Kentucky Colonel, A recipient of the WLKY Bell Award and Golden Rule Award.

Darlene is preceded in death by her mom, Daisy Lane Stapp; Father, Clarence Arnold Stapp; Brother, Samuel Eugene Stapp, Sr.; Sister-in-law, Sandra Hall Stapp and Nephew Samuel Eugene Stapp, Jr. She leaves behind her niece, Becky Bernard (Juanita); Nephew, Charles Stapp (Lisa); Nephew, Mike Stapp (Diana); Niece, Wendy Stapp; Great Nieces and Nephews, Maggie, Dylan, Daniel and Michaela; and her loving four-legged fur babies, Gypsy, Binx and Inca.

To all of Darlene’s friends... Thank you for being a part of her journey on Earth. Please know that she lived life to it’s fullest, she cherished each one of you, because she talked about each one of you as if you were family… YOU WERE HER FAMILY. Every chapter in her life could have a subtitle with your name on it. The adventures and time she shared with each of you added to the person she was. If wealth was measured by the amount of love, respect and admiration she had for you, she would be one of the wealthiest people there are. Your friendship, and time was the most valuable treasures she ever had.

So now that her physical time on Earth has come to an end, I know there is only one thing that she would have left to say…. "Beam me up, Scotty"

Memorial Service will be Sunday, January 22, 2023 from 1-3 at The Cabbage Patch Settlement House 1413 S. 6th Street. Louisville, KY 40208 in the Holiday Hall.

Expressions of Sympathy can be made in the form of donations to The Cabbage Patch Settlement House, 1413 S 6th St, Louisville, KY 40208, in Darlene’s name.