Darlene Cecchetti
Darlene J.H. (Iverson) Cecchetti, age 90, of New Kensington, PA, formerly of Waterville, died Friday, June 28, 2019 at Harmar Village Care Center in Cheswick, PA. A funeral service and burial will be held Sunday, July 7 at 2 p.m. at the Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Following the services, a luncheon will be held in the Church fellowship hall. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon is handling arrangements for the family.
Darlene Joy Hermae Iverson was born February 28, 1929 in rural Waterville, the youngest daughter of Herman N. and Josephine C. (Nelson) Iverson’s seven children. She was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville, and in 1946 she graduated from Waterville High School.
After graduation from high school, Darlene worked at Summit Hospital in Oconomowoc, WI as a nurse’s attendant for four years. Darlene then joined the U.S. Navy as a physician’s assistant and worked at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital from February 1951 through October 1952. While in the Navy, she met and married TSgt Mario E. Cecchetti, U.S. Marine Corps in Arlington, VA. Darlene left the service to raise four children.
In 1976, Darlene resumed her nursing career and graduated from Citizens General Nursing School in New Kensington, PA. Subsequently, Darlene worked at Citizen’s General Hospital for 18 years.
Darlene liked doing puzzles, oil and watercolor paintings, ceramics and crafts. She was also a huge animal lover. Rural farming roots were always evident in the abundance of outdoor flower and vegetable gardens that she grew and tended at her home. Darlene was also an avid sports fan from her youth when she played basketball in high school and during her Navy career, as well as playing recreational softball. Her love of sports continued into her adulthood as she followed her high school’s teams and Pittsburgh football, baseball and hockey.
She was actively engaged with Women’s Club activities including bowling and golf leagues. She participated as a Girl Scout leader for her daughters. She stayed active with Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church activities and donated to the church regularly, including upgrades for the organ and building expansion.
Darlene is survived by her children, Merle Joy (Ken) Truver, and Jon (Regan) and Dag (Dawn) Cecchetti; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Josephine; her daughter, Diane Lynn; five brothers- and sisters-in-law: Herman and Margaret (Kehr) Iverson, Irvin and Helen (Budahl) Iverson, Ordell and Helen (Wasson) Iverson, Arden and Gladys (Ludeking) Iverson and Earl and Vivian (Hartong) Iverson; her sister, Muriel (Iverson) Bakkum; and a brother-in-law, Barthel Bakkum.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
