Darlene (Glaven) Mayer, 91, of Kansas City, Kansas died Saturday, March 8, 2025 at The Piper Assisted Living and Memory Care facility surrounded by her loving family.

Services will be held at Porter Funeral Home, 1835 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas on Thursday, March 13, with visitation from 10-11 followed by funeral services at 11 am. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Darlene was born to Lelia (Dickerson) and Wilfred Glaven on September 12, 1933 in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended Mark Twain Elementary School and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1951. It was at Wyandotte High School where she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) K. Mayer. Bob always said he knew she was the one and got her attention by blowing her papers off her desk to get her to pay attention to him. The two dated throughout high school and married at First Pilgrim Congregational Church in KCK on July 20, 1953 right before Bob began his stint in the army.

Darlene worked for Hallmark Cards. Years later, after her children were grown, she worked for the IRS for a time, and then as a financial manager for Riss Truck lines and Core Carrier.

Darlene and Bob had three children, David, Kathleen, and Robert, Jr. After having her second child, Darlene became a homemaker. She was a part of the White Church School PTA and involved in many activities there while her children attended school. Darlene was the perfect mother-loving, supportive, and kind, yet firm and taught her children what was truly important in life.

Darlene and Bob raced sailboats for many years and were members of the Lake Jacomo Sailing Club where they attended many social events and developed life-long friends. Darlene won the very first Georgene Weddell trophy in 1973 given to the most outstanding female crew. Besides racing at Lake Jacomo, they competed in national competitions in San Francisco Bay, Houston, New Orleans, and Chesapeake Bay.

Although sailing was a big part of her life, Darlene’s main love was her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a wonderful cook and baker and was known for the many wonderful holiday meals she provided for her immediate and extended family.

Darlene and Bob were married for 57 years before his death in 2010. Darlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob; loving mother, Lelia; father, Wilfred Glaven; sister, Dorothy Benskin; brothers, Sonny Glaven and Edwin Hoyes; step-father, Dr. M.O. Hedge; and step-brothers, Mayro and Raymond Hedge.

Darlene leaves behind her children, David Mayer and wife Carol, Kathy Schaffer and husband Bill, Rob Mayer and wife Janet; grandchildren, Lindsay Clark and husband Josh, Amy Schaffer, Susan Mayer, Kelly Colucci and husband Kyle, Danny Schaffer and wife Ally, Chris Mayer and wife Morgan, Elizabeth Donnell and husband Justin, and Elaine Mayer; great-grandchildren Jace and Lily Clark, Aubree and Nolan Colucci, Declan Wyrick, Malcolm Schaffer, Quinn Donnell, and baby on the way, Christian Robert Mayer, Jr; as well as many other beloved extended family members, 

Our wonderful mother will live in our hearts forever.

Memories

Tucked away in the memories of my childhood

Is the smile of a loving face,

A gentle hand that led me-

No other could fill its place.

When childish woes oppressed me,

And I was filled with terrors and tears,

That loving hand caresses me

While she shared the wisdom of the years.

Now years have grown upon me-

Both joy and sorrow I have known;

But the memory always lingers

Of that wonderful Mother at home