Darlene June Kennedy Telford

Darlene June Kennedy Telford passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026. During her 91 years, Darlene blessed countless lives through her hard work, compassion, dedication, service, and love.

Darlene was born on June 8, 1935, to Ernest Kennedy and Inza Norris in Randolph, Utah. She was raised on their ranch and learned important lessons and skills that she would use throughout her life.

Darlene attended South Rich High School, where she excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian and serving as the band's majorette.

She married her sweetheart, Roger Telford, on March 2, 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for nearly 66 years. After their marriage, Roger accepted a draft call into the United States Army during the Korean War and was stationed primarily at Fort Lewis, Washington. Darlene joined him in Washington, where their first child, Debra, was born. After Roger’s military service, they moved back to Randolph, where their family grew to include Hank, Brenda, and Lane. Together, they raised their family and ran their cattle ranch.

Darlene and Roger moved their family to Morgan for a period of time so Lane and Brenda could attend the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Ogden. Darlene was a remarkably dedicated and compassionate caretaker, and she made the sacrifices necessary to give her children the care and opportunities they needed. In addition to caring for her family, she worked as a secretary at the school. After some time in Morgan, they moved their family back to Randolph. She won The Salt Lake Tribune’s Mother of the Year Award in 1999.

She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Darlene’s values were rooted in her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She served for many years on the Rich County School Board. She was passionate about serving her community in both small and big ways. That showed up in all aspects of her life. Anyone who knew Darlene knew that she cared about them.

Those who knew Darlene experienced her love and generosity in countless forms, but nothing illustrates her devotion to her family more clearly than the care she gave to her youngest two children, Lane and Brenda. Born with a degenerative disease that slowly limited their abilities, Lane and Brenda needed increasing care throughout their lives. Darlene personally provided or oversaw their care until Lane passed away in 2015 and continued caring for Brenda until the day of her own death.

One special way Darlene showed her love was by making things for the people she cared about. She used her creativity to make countless meals and treats for her family, neighbors, and ranch hands, and she poured that same love into the quilts she made for those around her. Those who received one, or many, of her quilts will continue to feel her love as they use, treasure, and pass on those cherished gifts.

Darlene is survived by three of her children, Debra (Les), Hank (Bonnie), and Brenda; her siblings, Ross, Rosanna (Max), and Bill (Debbie); 10 grandchildren, Trista (Reeve), Justin (Kathryn), Jared (Timberly), Chet, Tana (Alex), Cambree (Jared), Cassie (Alec), Chase (Jenna), Taylor (Blake), and Tori (Dylan); and 28 great-grandchildren, Burke, Graham, Rhett, Grey, Brenner, Avery, Barrett, Ellie, Bodie, Briggs, Annie, Gracie, Sammie, Gavin, Miles, Dallin, Aven, Elliott, Warren, Sybil, Ivy, Tess, Harrison, Maren, Nolan, Gwen, Rhiannon, and soon, Daisy. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Roger; her parents, Ernest and Inza; and her son, Lane.

Services to celebrate Darlene’s life will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, August 21, at the Randolph chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A visitation will be held the night before, on Thursday, August 20, from 6:00 pm–8:00 pm, and before the services on Friday, August 21, from 10:30 am–11:45 am, both at the Randolph chapel.