Ilene Joyce Darbee

Darbee, Ilene Joyce (Bodine)Bay City, Michigan Ilene Joyce Bodine Darbee passed away in Sarasota, Florida on January 8, 2010, after a courageous battle with LeioMyoSarcoma. The daughter of J. Walter and Alvina (Arndt) Bodine was born on May 2, 1939, in Bay City, Michigan. She graduated from Handy High School in 1957 and Central Michigan in 1961. Ilene taught for 35 years for the Bay City Public Schools. She met her husband, Robert L. Darbee, at McGregor School and they were married on June 23, 1962. Bob and Ilene were co-owners of Tony's Park and the Roll Air Rink in Bay City. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bay City and held numerous leadership positions there. In addition to her family's activities, Ilene enjoyed walking the Riverwalk with friends, planting flowers, cooking and entertaining, reading, playing cards with her siblings, and being with her grandchildren.Mrs. Darbee was a dedicated teacher, mentor and friend. She taught social studies and found great joy helping others, in the classroom and out. Her most rewarding experiences were helping the Saganing Indians on their Reservation, initiating the Laotians into American culture while at Bay City Central, and organizing an exchange for students at Central and Togliatti, Russia. Ilene received the YWCA Princess Wenona Award in 1982 and was Bay City Public Schools' Teacher of the Year 1991-92.Along with her husband, Ilene is survived by their two children, Dacia (David) Beazley and Michael (Stacy) Darbee, her grandchildren Kevin and Kennedy Beazley and Kimble, Kaylene and Jayna Darbee, siblings Janet (Vince) Ventimiglia, Norma Bodine and John Bodine, brothers-in-law Calvin (Elaine) Darbee, William (Shirley) Darbee and Larry Shorkey. Nieces and nephews include Julia (Don) Hundley, Renee (Jon) Mrozinski, Melissa (Tom) Smith, Larry (Mary) Shorkey, Vickie Shorkey, Tia (Scott) Carmichael, Jennifer (Tim) Wyman, Kristen Darbee and John (Caroline) Darbee. Ilene is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, in-laws Howard and Agnes Darbee, and siblings Allen Bodine and Donna Shorkey.Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home on Monday, January 18, from 2pm-7pm. A prayer service will be held at 7pm. Ilene's life will be celebrated at First United Methodist Church in Bay City on Tuesday, January 19, at 11am. Visitation will take place from 10am until the time of service. Officiating will be Reverend Anthony N. Cutting. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund.