Derleen Eurydice Blakely, 82, of Palm Coast, Florida passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 in the quiet of her home, surrounded by people who loved her. A Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 1pm at St Thomas Episcopal Church, Palm Coast. Derleen was born in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies to the late Jack and Jane McKenzie.

On February 16, 1958, Derleen married the love of her life Winfield Cornelius Blakely and together they raised three beautiful girls: Pantaleon, Carlene, and Nelia. In 1959, Derleen arrived in the United States, settling down in Brooklyn, NY. Winfield followed her in 1960 and they started their family. While training as a nurse in Trinidad and Tobago, she became a certified mid-wife. Immediately after arriving in NY she started working as an operating and maternity room nurse. Derleen worked nights until the children went to school. As part of Derleen's career she studied at Sloan Kettering in NY and became a Board Certified Enterostomal Therapist, as well as a Visiting Nurse until she retired.

Upon retiring, Derleen and Winfield moved to Palm Coast, Florida. Here they provided a happy and fun place for their children and grandchildren to visit. Derleen was a member of the Nurses Association in Palm Coast and a member of the St. Thomas Episcopal choir for 25 years. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, sewing and crocheting, bowling, ceramics, puzzles, and watching tennis. Derleen and Winfield loved traveling and a good party.

Derleen was known for her beautiful smile and admired for her quiet, warm elegance of dress. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchild were the jewels of her crown. Derleen is survived by her children: Pantaleon and Parris Beverly, Carlene and Steve Mitchell, and Nelia Blakely; siblings: Glenna McKenzie-Bernard, Hugo McKenzie, Raymond McKenzie, and Natalie Andrews; brother and sisters-in-law: Norris and Miriam Blakely and Harriet Rauceo. She was also the loving grandmother to her grandchildren: Alicia, Bryce, Nicole and Brendan, and great-grandchild Camila Beverly. Derleen also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. She will be missed by her special friends: Violet and Sidney Honeygan, Velrose Afflick and Joy Shakespeare. Derleen was preceded in death by her beloved Winfield in 2013.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the St Thomas Endowment Fund directly to St Thomas Episcopal Church, 5400 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast, FL 32137. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Palm Coast. Condolences may be shared with the family via this online guestbook.