10/29/2025
Darlene Genevieve Marshall – Born on May 27, 1937, Darlene was the first child born to Ernest and Rosalind Marshall and passed away peacefully at home, on October 22, 2025, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was the oldest grandchild of the Risling family and had wonderful memories of growing up in a large family, including her older sister Ernestine and older brother, Larry “Buddy”. Because she was the oldest of five children, born in four years, she spent a lot of time with her grandmother Geneva and aunt Vivien Hailstone.
Darlene was a true Gemini with a curious mind and a creative nature who wanted to explore the world and experience everything life had to offer. She married Charles Hailey, a student who came to Hoopa to work for one year to earn money for college, and at the young age of 15 they moved to Ozark country in southwest Missouri. She often told stories of the vast difference between her life in Hoopa and the life that she learned to live in Missouri. She often credited her mother-in-law with teaching her how to be a mom and run a household.
At 16 she had her first son, Charles “David” Jr., followed by Weldon and youngest son, Mark. In 1961, she was excited to finally have a daughter, Julie Michelle Hailey, who sadly had Hyland membrane disease and only lived for two days. 12 months later she was blessed with another daughter, Judith Dawn.
Her favorite expression, fondly remembered by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was “we are off, on another adventure”. During her marriage she lived in Missouri, Texas, Louisianna, Mississippi, Michigan and Florida. She loved traveling and moving to new areas. In Missouri, she worked at Sears, selling warranty agreements and won awards for having the top sales in a 5-state area.
After 21 years of marriage, Darlene and her husband divorced and she later said that it was a blessing in disguise because she then came home to Hoopa and got to spend the last few years of her father’s life with him. It was one of the most cherished times of her life that she would later say that she wouldn’t trade for anything.
Darlene, like her father before her, was a master storyteller who shared our local history and traditional stories. She was invited to conferences, schools, girl scout outings and other events all over the State to share stories. Darlene was also a published writer of poetry and fiction writing, often reflecting events and historical things that had happened, in a creative platform.
After returning to Hoopa, she worked for the Oral History Project, transcribing interviews that had been done with tribal elders. Always a history buff, she loved this job and couldn’t wait to go to work every day. She worked at the Manpower program as a job developer for years and then become the Director until 1984. Her last employment before retirement was at the Lucky Bear Casino, working as a cashier and then in surveillance.
Darlene had a pension for fast, race cars and in her life owned a 1967 350 Camaro, a 1969 Firebird 400 and a Chevelle that was hopped up. She thought anything else was boring.
Starting in the late 1980’s, Darlene started developing patterns that could be interfaced with knitting machines to incorporate our basket designs into hats, blankets, baby sets and other knitted products. She successfully ran a business in partnership with the “Knit Tree” in Redding, designing, making and selling products for the next 25+ years until her eyesight would no longer allow her to run the knitting machines. Even now you can see babies in her baby sets and people wearing her hats, scarfs and headbands.
Darlene would say though that her reason for living was her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and now great great grandchildren. She loved each one of them and developed a special relationship with all of them. She would brag that she had the most beautiful, smartest and most remarkable grandchildren of anyone in the world. And would say, “I know everyone things their grandchildren are the most special, but in my case, I know it’s true”.
Even in her older age, she loved camping and the outdoors and would sit around the campfire telling stories. She loved to gamble, play bingo and travel. In 1993, she went with her aunt Vivien and cousin Sonny Boy on the trip of her life; 17-day trip to Norway, Finland, Sweden and parts of Russia. Her dream was to go to Scotland, and although she didn’t make it there, she read a lot of books and researched that country.
Darlene was an avid reader and read a book every day. She was notorious for reading the last chapter first and then going back and reading the rest of the book. It was a big loss to her when her eyesight went several years ago and she could no longer read but her granddaughter Jenna gifted her a kindle and loaded books on it and from then on, she always had her kindle going 24/7 and now listened to a book a day.
Darlene was preceded in death by her mother Rosalind Risling Marshall and father, Ernest Marshall, her brothers Larry Marshall and Ernest “Pee Wee” Marshall, her sister’s Ernestine Moon Prindle and recently her baby sister, Andrea (Jen) Kelsey, son’s David and Mark, son in law, Gordon Surber, daughter Julie, granddaughter Brianna Hailey,Shankle, great grandson Mark Andrew Hailey, II, nephews Paul Yo-Yo Moon, Damon Hailstone, Larry Marshall Jr., Blaine Marshall, Mike Kelsey, Dale Kelsey, Steve Marshall, nieces Dorane Moon, Mechelle Moon and great nephew baby Gary. as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
She is survived by her son Weldon (Lori) Hailey, daughter, Judith Surber, Daughter in law Dana Hailey, sisters Bonnie Roberts and Betty Hutt, grandchildren, Kiersten McAvoy (Chad), Carrie Mello(Tim Sanderson), Jenifer Hailey, Paul Hailey (Yari), Shelly Bommelyn (Allen), Jordan Hailey, Jenna Hailey, Joseph Hailey (Mercedes), Sport Surber (Raven), Roger Surber (Ethel) Cory Surber, Megan Surber (Stoney McCoy) and Anna Kay Hailey, as well as numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held, October 28th, 1:00 p.m. at the Neighborhood Facilities in Hoopa, California with interment at the Hoopa Cemetery. Food will follow at the Fire Hall.
Pall Bearers: Sport, Roger and Cory Surber, Paul, Jordan and Joseph Hailey and Stoney McCoy.
Honorary Pall Bearers: Mio Martinez, Hayden Mello, Charlie Hailey, Damon Hailey, Micheal Hailey, Benjiman Surber, James Bommelyn, Roger Surber Jr., Holden Surber, David “Doo” McCoy, Chad McAvoy, Allen Bommelyn, Tim Sanderson, Dale Risling, Ken Risling Gary Risling, Baron Risling, Leslie “Sim” Risling Jr., Bud Hardy, Mike McBride, John “Knox” Marshall, Rob Roy Latham Jr., Greg Moon, Neil Moon, Darren “Doodles’ Marshall, Randy Marshall Dodge, Lyle Marshall, Joseph Hutt, Wesley Hutt, Bob Roberts, Russ Roberts, Lyle “Elmo” Moon, Anthony “Tony” Risling, Lawrence Tracy, Adam Allen, Melvin Marshall Sr., Julian Lang, Emil Marshall, Daniel Lopez, Ronnie Risling, Leslie Risling, Kyle Risling and Lil Baron Risling and Nick Anderson
A special thank you to grandson Roger, granddaughter Megan and Stoney McCoy, who provided Darlene with loving care, making it possible for her to be cared for at home and Katherine Mize at Madrone Care.
Here’s to the next adventure, Mom. May it be the best yet.
