Grace Darlene Christensen Robison

Grace Darlene Christensen Robison, known to all simply as Darlene, passed away peacefully at the age of 95, leaving behind a rich legacy of faith, unselfish devotion to her family, and a lifetime of dedicated service.

Early Life in the Mountains of Utah

Darlene arrived in the world at 2:00 a.m. on January 15, 1931, in the coal-mining town of Kenilworth, Carbon County, Utah. The seventh and youngest child of Peter Berner Christensen and Grace Cornelia Cox, her birth was a joyous event celebrated by her two older brothers and four older sisters.

Growing up at an elevation of 7,000 feet, Darlene developed a deep love for the rugged plateau mountains that surrounded her home. Her childhood was defined by a sense of adventurous freedom—spending long summer days hiking, building campfires to cook lunch, catching pet lizards, and harvesting gunny sacks of pinecones to boil for pine nuts. Her home was filled with music and joy; she fondly remembered her mother playing "Golden Slippers" on the piano while she rolled up the throw rug to tap dance.

Love, Marriage, and the Move to California

In 1950, while attending the LDS Business College and working as a waitress at the ZCMI Tea Room in Salt Lake City, Darlene attended a Mutual Improvement Association (M.I.A.) meeting at the Columbus Ward. It was there that she met the love of her life, Clair Robison. The couple became engaged just before Clair left for a two-year Latter-day Saint mission to Northern California. Darlene faithfully waited for him, and upon his return, they planned their wedding in just 38 days.

Darlene and Clair were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on August 11, 1952. Shortly thereafter, Clair was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Darlene worked two jobs to support them before joining him at Fort Ord, California, and later Fort Lewis, Washington, where their first child was born.

Following Clair’s military discharge, the family returned to Utah for a time before Clair's career and entrepreneurial ventures, brought them permanently to California. They eventually settled at 1298 Collins Lane in San Jose, which became the beloved centerpiece of their family's "growing up" years for over five decades.

A Devoted Mother and Matriarch

Darlene’s life was completely anchored by her family. She was a fierce, protective, and deeply loving mother to her five children: Mark, David, Linda, Ronald, and Susan.

Her journey through motherhood tested and proved her incredible strength. When her fourth child, Ron, was born with severe brain damage due to a traumatic birth, Darlene immersed herself in learning everything she could about Cerebral Palsy. Alongside Clair, she championed Ron's needs, ensured he received a specialized education, and openly shared his condition to put others at ease, fostering a home of profound empathy and unconditional love.

A Lifetime of Faithful Service

Darlene possessed an unwavering testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her church callings were not just duties, but her social life, her schooling, and her joy. Over the years, she served in nearly every capacity imaginable:

In 1991 and 1992, Darlene and Clair fulfilled a lifelong dream by serving a full-time mission together in Nauvoo, Illinois. Upon returning, they continued their service by managing the Santa Clara Bishop’s Storehouse from 1995 to 1996.

Legacy

Darlene was a woman of absolute integrity, quiet strength, and endless capability. She loved wholesome music, strict honesty, and the simple joy of watching her family grow. She viewed her childhood as a beautiful gift, her marriage as a sacred partnership, and her 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren as her greatest earthly treasures.

"The two most important things in my life are 1. The Knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the testimony I have of its truth, 2. My family... They have always brought a lot of joy into my life." — Grace Darlene Christensen Robison