E. Darlene Harrington, 85

E. Darlene Harrington, 85, of Lancaster, died Sunday, April 24, 2011 at Lancaster General Hospital.  Born in Monon, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Charlotte Elsie and Homer Everett Currant.

Darlene grew up in Gary, Indiana, and attended William Woods College in Missouri for two years, and then graduated from Purdue University.  While she was away at college, her parents moved to Lancaster and opened a corner grocery store and rooming house on South West End Ave.

After graduation, Darlene worked for RCA, on New Holland Pike in Lancaster, where she met a young electronics engineer, who became her husband of 53 years, the late William J. Harrington. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Marion, Indiana, where their three children were born. William died in November 2003.  Her husband’s career included numerous overseas assignments.  On some of the longer term jobs, she joined him in Europe, living in Italy for a year, and a year and a half in Southport, England.

After her mother’s death, in 1991, Darlene became the proprietor of The Bachelor House; W. Chestnut St., Lancaster, for about a decade.  She loved going to the beach, and for thirty years owned a trailer at a campsite near Cape May, New Jersey.

Darlene was a Democratic election poll worker in her voting district, and was a member of the RCA Marion Wives Luncheon Group.  As an avid reader she was happy to volunteer at the Lancaster Public Library for about thirty years.  She received the Lancaster New Era Red Rose Citizenship Award for her dedication.  Darlene enjoyed playing bridge, watching television–especially British comedies, and was an excellent cook. 

Darlene is survived by a son, Kevin M. husband of Kathryn E. Harrington of Bausman, PA; a daughter, Sheila Ann Levine of Lafayette Hills, PA; two grandchildren, Tamara wife of Sajy Mathew and Daniel husband of Janet Ottey; and one great-grandchild, Alexander Mathew.  She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeanne M. Harrington.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, April 29, 2011 at St. John Neumann, 601 East Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 with Rev. Paul Theiz as Celebrant.  A viewing will be held from 10:30-11:30 AM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543.  Interment at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.  In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Darlene’s memory to Lancaster Public Library, 125 N. Duke St. Lancaster, PA 17602 or Humane League of Lancaster County, 2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602 or donorrelations@humaneleague.com .  To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100