Darlene Riddick Winslow

 Judith Darlene Riddick Winslow, 66, of 103 Poplar Circle, Hertford, NC, died on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at her home with her family by her side.

 Darlene was born in Pasquotank County on January 24, 1958, and was the daughter of Judith Winslow Riddick of Belvidere and the late McKay Washington Riddick.

 A graduate of Perquimans County High School and later the Norfolk General Hospital School of Nursing, she was a Registered Nurse at Albemarle Hospital (now Sentara Albemarle Medical Center) in Elizabeth City for 35 years. She devoted her time and loved working in the Labor and Delivery department and became a wonderful aid to the “moms to be.” There she cared for and encouraged them, assuring them they were strong and ready to be mothers. Working the Labor Room is not an easy job, but she was a strong woman, working many 12-hour shifts, coming home, and then doing it all over again.

 Darlene’s true love was being the wife to Mike, and mother to Kathy and Michael Kyle. She was the rock of the family and loved the Lord with all her heart. She was raised in the fellowship of Piney Woods Friends Meeting in Belvidere and later, after marriage, attended Evangelical Methodist Church where she and Mike raised their family. She was the most caring, devoted, loving wife and mother who always put others’ needs before her own. Being a caretaker her whole life, she could light up a room with her smile and laughter. She loved going every October to the mountains where she marveled at the colors of the leaves, often at one of her favorite places, Gatlinburg, TN. Other times she loved visiting the Outer Banks where she listened to the roaring waves crash on the sandy shore, watched for Dolphins, and enjoyed fishing with Mike. She loved nature, hearing birds sing, watching butterflies float along, and observing the little squirrels and rabbits as they visited her yard.

 Family was always her first priority, and in addition to her mother, left to cherish her memory is her husband of 42 years, Michael Edward “Mike” Winslow; their children, Kathy Winslow Stafford (husband, Brad) of Elizabeth City and Michael Kyle Winslow (wife, Brooke) of Edenton; her sister, Sharon Lane (husband, Bobby), and her brother, Jason Riddick (wife, Joni), both of Hertford; her beloved grandchildren, Oliver and Riley Winslow, and Ethan Stafford; and many other members of both the Riddick and Winslow families.

 A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 6th, at 4:00 p.m. in Piney Woods Friends Meeting and will be conducted by Pastors Jeremy Pugh, Ken Spivey, C.D. White, and Art Wilt. Friends may visit with the family in the fellowship hall immediately following the service.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the Perquimans County Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 337, Hertford, NC 27944. The money received will be used for a scholarship in Darlene’s name and will be awarded to students seeking a career in nursing.

 Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is assisting the family with arrangements.