Darine Jean Prince Fish

July 1, 1939 - May 7, 2022

Darine Jean Prince was born in Washington ,D.C July 1,1939 . Darine was born second child to Charles Kendall Prince and Hazel Jean Prince (Cleaveland). Her mother would pass early in her life from Tuberculosis leaving her brother Charles JR. (Skip) and herself to be raised by their father. They would go on to be raised by him and her grandmother. She would attend the Seventh Day Adventist church and school. During this time she would have a paper route, baby sit and sneak an apple to the horse by her house. At just 13 years old it was decided she would leave home and move to St. Petersburg to live with her Aunt. She boarded a train alone to travel form DC to St. Petersburg . Looking back. she never remembered feeling afraid to travel at such a young age ,alone , and for such a long journey. Her Aunt Ethel Mary and Uncle Kay always treated her as one of their own. She often spoke of how generous they were and how she relished her brief time with them. As she looked to Ethel Mary as a mom. Ethel Mary, she was proud to say made almost all of her clothes, beautiful dresses and skirts. Some of these she would keep throughout the years. She would baby sit the younger kids an as an adult brag like a big sister how talented their daughter Sharon was at skating. For Christmas she would receive her first pair of skates from her Aunt and Uncle which would come in handy as her future husband would be a skate guard at a local roller rink. Only a Junior in high school she would drop out to marry the love of her life Fenton on July 21,1956 wearing a dress made by her Aunt. She stayed at home to raise all three children Lawrence, Alan, and Karen. When her youngest was in 10th grade, she decided to get a job, a family friend helped her get at Starkey elementary. She would be a baker there for over 10 years before retiring. In the following years, she would go on to help raise and care for three grandchildren Sierra , Savannah , and Christopher. She would always say they were her world and that her sole job was to spoil them which she did with great ease. In her last years, she would enjoy traveling with family and friends, watching her grandchildren compete in gymnastics, swim on middle school and high school teams, play soccer ,baseball ,football and watch band concerts when she could. She never wanted to miss even one event as she loved them so and always wanted them to know how proud of them she was. The last 5 years for her were the hardest from losing, Fenton, the love of her life in a sudden accident. The following year watching her eldest son Larry pass. In that month she herself she was in and out of the hospital. She had the opportunity to say goodbye to her best friend Mary jo, but at her passing would be in the hospital herself and would miss the funeral something that caused her great sadness. She would go on to lose 3 more dear friends and neighbors including her best friends husband Truman and his daughter-in-law Beth. As this last year began she would often talk of missing them all and longing to be with them again. As a family we are truly blessed by the out pouring of love she was showed. In the last month, leading to her passing, so many of her friends and loved ones were able to come see her and say their good byes. On May 7, 2022, she passed away peacefully with family by her side. Just hours before, while sitting at light, headed to be with her, engine 2 (which was the truck my father used to ride) pulled up next to me. We as a family are at peace knowing this was a sign my father would be there to greet her. She will be truly missed.