Darly was born in Peoria, IL, on July 16, 2007, to Derek Sanders and Teresa Elmore. Darly brought light and love to all who knew her. She was a student at Liberty North High School, where she was a cherished member of the Special Needs classroom, sparking joy wherever she went.
Darlene's infectious spirit touched the hearts of many, and she had a deep affection for the Grinch, which always brought a smile to her face. Despite her challenges, Darly found happiness in the simple things in life, joyfully embracing car rides with bumps, movies with loud noises, and even the sound of people screaming or babies crying could evoke laughter from her.
Darlene's family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care and support provided by her caregivers, nurses, and doctors over the years. In her short time with us, Darly taught us the power of resilience, love, and laughter in the face of adversity. She will forever be remembered for her unwavering spirit and the light she brought to the world. May she rest in peace, forever cherished in our hearts.
Throughout her life, Darly was surrounded by a loving family, including her father, Derek (Tracy) Sanders; her mother, Teresa Elmore; her paternal grandparents, Jack (Barbara) Sanders; her sister, Emily (John Mancuso) Sanders; her brother, Ryan (MaKayla) Sanders; her step-brother, Trevor Kudzinski; her step-sister, Jodi Kudzinski; her niece, Paisley Sanders; and her nephew, Preston Sanders. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Darlene and James Elmore.
