Mother: Ottolene Mathew Thompson

Father:  Lawrence Roosevelt Becraft

Dee was a true Baltimorean with an accent that would always be with her.  She lived all of her life in Baltimore County,  Severna Park and Arnold.

She graduated from Woodlawn High School, and attended Anne Arundel Community College , taking classes in educating special education children and young adults.

As a young child, Darlene loved to ride horses.  A highlight of her teenage years was leading the Cherry Blossom parade on horseback in Washington DC.

Darlene had 2 careers, one working in Education, and the other in Real Estate. She started as a substitute at Severna Park High School, then found a home in the special education branch of the school system.  She worked with students 14 to 21 teaching them social skills and skills that would eventually help them get a job.

While working for AACPS she was elected as President of SAAAAC, the Union for the Teacher's Assistants, and Secretaries.  As President, Darlene was involved in the negotiations for salaries, working conditions, and disputes.  She routinely met with AA legislators concerning bills that were being put before the legislators for a vote.  She was proudest when the Bill passed that put Nurses in all the schools.  She also represented Anne Arundel County at the State level. The highlight of her years was the merging of the Teachers Union with the Support Staffs Union.

She retired from the school system in 2001 and began a career in Real Estate.  First working with Champion Realty, then transferring to Keller Williams Flagship, and finally retiring in 2017.  Her team won many awards, and helped a lot of people with their real estate needs.  She was also on the Legislative Team for the State and Local Boards of Realtors reviewing and testifying on all the legislation dealing with the wide categories representing "housing".

Dee is survived by her many friends including:  Barbara Remias, Stephen Remias, Pam Dawson and four honorary grandchildren :  Gavin, Shannon, Garrett, and Maddie.

A gathering of friends and family will be held in the future.

Dee loved to be around horses, and even when she was unable to walk, the staff at the MD Therapeutic Riding put her on horses and helped her groom and love the horses.  She was the happiest when she was on the farm.  This organization also performs miracles working with our veterans.  Thank you for your donations.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Maryland Therapeutic Riding

1141 Sunrise Beach Rd

Crownsville, MD21032

Go to www.horsesthat heal.com and click the donation tab