Mrs. Virginia "Darlene" Avila

Peacefully at rest in San Francisco on August 6th, 2014 at the age of 71. Dearly beloved wife of 55 years to Mike Avila. She was just widowed a year ago this past June. Loving Mother of Richard D. Avila (Angela) devoted grandmother of Mira and Valerie Avila. Dear daughter of the late Howard Keenan Sr. and Beulah Cobb. Survived by brothers Jim and Howard Jr. Keenan. Born in Sonoma County but a native of San Francisco, California, Virginia (Darlene) graduated from Mission High School. During her senior she met future husband Mike Avila in 1959 and were later married in the summer of 1964 at “Historic” Mission Dolores Catholic Church. But before their marriage Virginia (Darlene) decided to convert to Catholicism and was baptized in October of 1962 to Godparents Mike Gomez and Linda Simmon. In 1970 Darlene and Mike adopted their only child Richard. She became a devoted housewife and a mother of all mothers to her son during his adolescent years. In the 1990’s she decided to go back to work and was employed by Vector Laboratories in Burlingame. She was quoted as saying it was the happiest time of her life working for the company. In early 2000’s she was diagnosed with cancer twice, which forced her to retire from Vector Lab. During retirement she battled many other health issues including Osteoporosis. Just this past year her grand daughter Valerie researched and completed a school project that helped the family understand this deadly disease. If you could describe Virginia (Darlene) in one word it would be “Fighter”. She never once gave up and battled back from everything that attacked her body. In the end her body gave up on her. We acknowledge with much gratitude the care Virginia (Darlene) received from Richard, Angela, Mira and Valerie in her final year. She will be missed but we all know she is reunited with her true love in paradise. Friends may visit after 3:00PM on Monday, August 11, 2014 and are invited to attend a Vigil Service, also on Monday, at 7:00PM at the chapels of Valente Marini Perata and Co., 4840 Mission St., SF. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 11:00AM at Church of the Epiphany, 827 Vienna Street, SF. Committal to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma.

Mrs. Virginia "Darlene" Avila

December 29, 1942 - August 6, 2014