Remembering Darlene Davies

With sorrow, the San Diego Parks Foundation remembers Darlene Davies who passed away this past June. While many in the San Diego community knew Darlene because of her advocacy on the San Diego Arts and Culture Commission, as a Board member and “First Lady” of the Old Globe, and as a member of the San Diego Advisory Board on Women, Mrs. Davies also had a passion for Balboa Park and parks in general in the San Diego community.

Mrs. Davies was a member of City’s Park and Recreation and Balboa Park Committee Board for many years and when the San Diego Parks Foundation was in its infancy, Darlene stepped up to give a much-needed boost to the marketing effort using her skill as a freelance writer. “Mrs. Davies provided skillful input and creative ideas for our first newsletters and opened the doors to the San Diego community, for park betterment, which she loved so much,” said Marcella Bothwell, MD and SDPF Marketing Chair.

Stacey LoMedico, former Director of Parks and Recreation Department and former Assistant City of San Diego Chief Operating Officer said, “Mrs. Davies was a long-tenure volunteer supporting the City’s Park system by providing her time and talents for many years. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her when she was the chair of the Balboa Park Committee. She was a passionate advocate who quietly worked behind the scenes to ensure the park system’s crown jewel always shined.”

Michel Anderson, Chair SDPF said, "We were lucky to have Mrs. Davies on our Board. Her presence brought instant validation to a new, struggling organization. She loved parks and helped us to establish our mission and purpose. I will miss her wise counsel and friendship."

For more information on this wonderful, dedicated, and passionate woman of San Diego please see her obituary in the San Diego Union-Tribune: Darlene Davies was an author, historian, teacher, and first lady of the Old Globe.