Providing Answers, Support and Hope in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey
In Memory of Darlene Croce
As told by her sister, Cynthia Blau
Darlene's motto in life: We as human beings step into the ring of life, get knocked down and through the resilience of the human spirit, we get up once more.
Darlene Croce was a fighter, warrior, and advocate. She influenced many through her love, patience, and kindness towards her personal family and family at the Lupus Foundation, her colleagues at Jefferson, her husband Tom Croce, and her many friends and family through her lupus support groups.
To describe Darlene, we must utilize descriptive adjectives: Enthusiasm, in Greek, means from the God within. She possessed a plethora of talent shared with all who knew her in her short yet accomplished 35-year lifespan. Darlene never allowed lupus to define her, as she directed her own life's journey.
Darlene was effervescent, kindhearted, tenacious, fun-loving, creative, a multi-tasker, and an advocate for lupus patients. Often, she visited lupus patients in the hospital and stayed after hours just to listen and be their comfort. She was a warrior for the Lupus Foundation, yet shared her creative side with many people. Darlene was a pianist, award-winning poet, and playwright. She had many of her paintings displayed at art exhibits, was a children's book illustrator, and influencer. Darlene loved and supported the arts and had an eclectic ear for music. Wise beyond her years, she knew from an early age the importance of living every moment. In an excerpt from her published poem in Cosmopolitan Magazine, "Father Time," she wrote:
"Father Time should be cherished and enraptured, a moment just passed cannot be recaptured."
At age 15, Darlene was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), but she never allowed the disease to define her, as her daily choices proved her true testament toward living a full life. One picture presented is memorable with Darlene and sister Cynthia at her 21st birthday celebration. She is seen smiling and happy, yet after the party she asked to be driven to Jefferson Hospital and was later diagnosed with 2 embolisms. To say Darlene had stamina and a threshold for pain is an understatement. She wouldn't allow her illness to disrupt her birthday celebration. To say the least, she was a unique girl and brave, and her family never knew the depth of her pain as she practiced imagery to empower mental displacement which allowed her to keep moving forward.
Despite her being knocked down at times, with over 30 hospital stays, Darlene got back up and championed on in her next venture. A summa cum laude graduate from Temple University in finance, she utilized her degree as a grant manager at Jefferson Hospital. As a finance major, this assisted her with fundraising events for the Lupus Foundation. She became involved as a volunteer initially and was encouraged by her friend Goldie Simon to join the team at the Lupus Foundation. For 15 years, she developed and led lupus support groups and spearheaded many fundraising events.
Later, Darlene met the gracious Beverly Hass and they too quickly became friends. Both shared their passions for the Foundation and together shared a co-presidency for the Lupus Foundation of America, then the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter. Darlene was a fierce advocate for lupus patients as she knew firsthand about their questions and concerns, specifically the question of how one leads a productive life living with lupus. "By living well," Darlene would always say as she proved through her many accomplishments. A humble soul, Darlene inspired many of her support group followers and listeners from the radio station WDAS who had lupus. They applied what Darlene showed them to "get up" and be creative in their days. Many would tell you they took up painting, acting, writing, and playing an instrument, which assisted them as a creative outlet to live life despite their disease.
Darlene created the Living Well with Lupus Symposium, where patients and doctors can share information and communicate. These symposiums continue today to generate hope, encouragement, and provide valuable information for all attendees.
Darlene appeared in the WHYY documentary Living Well with Lupus. She was a weekly Sunday morning guest on the medical portion at WDAS answering questions from patients and sharing information on new founded research. She hosted successful fundraising events at the Prince Music Theater and Wilma Theater. As a spokesperson on television with newscaster Steve Levy, she shared information about lupus. She was in an MBA program at Temple University when she made her final trip to the hospital. Posthumously, Darlene received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lupus Foundation of America in Washington D.C.
More photos showing Darlene's bright personality can be seen here
In honor of Darlene, a film documentary and music video was created which depicted Darlene's life journey through music, and dance. See lifeknocks.org and follow the journey of a woman's legacy and resiliency which continues to inspire all of us today.