Darlyn J. (Santelle) Hooker

June 26 1946 – Sept 25 2021

Darlyn (Santelle) J. Hooker, age 75, passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with a sudden onset terminal cancer. She died at home surrounded by the love and care of her devoted daughter. She was born June 26, 1946 in Canton, Ohio, to Italian immigrants, the late Thomas and Mary (DiCato) Santelle, and was the youngest of many wonderful brothers and a sister. Darlyn graduated early from Canton's Lincoln High School Class of 1964 and was a popular1960s Regional Beauty Queen. Her numerous titles included Miss Greater Ohio and Miss Congeniality. She was also crowned as the Miss Superior Trim Dairy model and made hundreds of local print and media appearances throughout the 1960’s. Darlyn went on to attend University of Akron College of Business then completed the EJ Plott Real Estate School in 1975. Darlyn taught and sold Real Estate many years, and maintained her licensure with Croxton Realty her entire life. Darlyn loved people and was passionate about Sales. Anyone who knew her knew she never met a stranger, was extremely intuitive and truly understood people's needs and the art of authentic selling. She was a friend to many in need and most people never knew that about her. She was also the life of the party and made things happen- which everyone knew of her knack for doing.

More recently, Darlyn was well known to many as one of the top Furniture Sales Consultants for Value City Furniture Cleveland Clinic Sleep specialist mattress sales. Throughout her long career, Darlyn received numerous accolades and many distinct awards. Enjoyment and passion were hallmarks of Darlyn's life. No one left a room not knowing exactly where she stood on things. Very well-read, wise and intellectual, Darlyn was a passionate opinion on almost any topic. She was smart, devoted, and loving. She was a fiercely loyal and supportive Mother, person and friend. Expressly private, strictly confidential and always all about business, Darlyn also had a soft and humorous side that she freely showed those closest to her. There were many things in life that Darlyn loved and she brought energy, passion, beauty and excitement to every single one of them and to all those around her. Mom could really make stuff happen! Darlyn enjoyed many hobbies including keeping up on politics, extensive traveling, loving great food and dining out! She was also a big fan of the ocean and boating, loved the Florida beach, especially in Naples and Mexico Beach, loved horses like her Quarter horse SuperSocks, and she enjoyed supporting the Audubon society. She loved animals of all kinds and took great care in feeding the birds daily, loved cats and feeding outdoor animals as well. And there was not a fast car engine that she didn't appreciate, with her own first hot rod being a 1963 Chevy Impala SS 411 Positraction 4 -on- the- floor. Darlyn also enjoyed being a member of various civic and religious organizations and clubs.

Darlyn is survived by her loving and devoted Daughter, Darlyn McDermott of Jackson Township, of which she was extremely proud. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins, all of which she deeply loved, and Elbert O'Neal Hooker and family of South Carolina. Darlyn was the youngest of six children and was preceded in death by her parents of Canton, Ohio, and maternal and paternal grandparents of Abruzzo, Italy. She was also preceded in death by brothers Arthur, Nicholas, Thomas "Jr", and John, as well as a special sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Ray Monnot, all of Canton, and Robert Gale Jeffries of Indiana.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday Oct. 1 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, Christ the Servant, with Monsignor Lewis Gaetano officiating. Calling hours will be September 30th , Thursday evening 6-8 p.m. at the Rossi Family Funeral Home, and one hour prior at the church. Covid-9 masking protocols will be followed at the funeral home, church, and lunch reception. Burial will be at Sunset Hills Cemetery with a Celebration of life Lunch immediately following at the church. The family would like to thank Dr. Tirmonia and Dr. Nagajothy for their expertise and dedicated care as well as the wonderful people of Mercy Cleveland Clinic Hospice, especially Ashley and Cathy and Ellen. Darlyn leaves behind her faithful companion cat, Orange Man, whom she rescued and dearly loved. She also leaves behind many Florida friends, long time best friend, Sandy Cowing, but especially a dear local friend Sherrill Armstrong, who has been a wonderful and loving help to us all during this time. Darlyn was a person of faith and spoke many times of looking forward to seeing her family in heaven and reminded her grieving daughter that we are all on loan from Jesus but ultimately we are his and need to go. She always spoke of her pride and love for her daughter who was also her best friend. She did things her way and lived and loved on her own terms. Darlyn will be sorely missed and never forgotten. Thanks Mom for everything. In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation to Mercy Hospice or to the Stark County Humane Society.  For those who cannot attend the funeral mass, you can view it by going to: https://www.youtube.com/christtheservantparish.

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