Sheila Darken, 90, was the fourth and youngest child of Maurice and Mary Keane, who emigrated from Ireland.  She grew up in the Bronx with her parents and her siblings Al, Eileen and Theresa.  Sheila was an accomplished Irish dancer who was smart and spunky. She put herself through Hunter College, going to school at night after working all day.  Sheila later graduated from Fordham University with a Masters in Education, achieved while holding a full time job and raising two children.

Sheila and her friends loved the Jersey shore, and fortunately so did her future husband John Darken.   They married in 1959 and had two children, Kevin and Kathleen.  The family moved to Tappan, New York in 1966.  Sheila was a beloved fourth grade teacher at St. Catharine's School in Blauvelt for many years, and an avid fan and cheerleader at her children's many sports events.  Later Sheila had a successful career as a Human Resources manager at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) in Manhattan.

John and Sheila hosted numerous joyful gatherings over the years with their extended family at their home in Tappan.  They had many wonderful friendships, including with life-long friends from the Bronx.  In later years they bought a condo in Florida and enjoyed years of beach life with close friends. In her retirement years Sheila was an avid reader, particularly of mystery novels.  But nothing gave her more joy than her grandchildren.

Sheila's husband, John, took care of her in her last few years.  Their partnership and love has been an inspiration to everyone fortunate to know them.

Sheila is survived by her husband John Darken, her children Kevin Darken (married to Terry Darken) and Kathleen LaPorte (married to Alan Meeker), and her grandchildren Christopher, Conor and Colleen Darken and Erin and Danny LaPorte.

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