Obituary of Darlene Marie Cieri

WATERLOO — Darlene Marie Cieri (née Colegrove), 54, passed away Sunday (February 16, 2025) surrounded by the profound love of her family. Darlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and educator. Family and friends may call 3 PM to 6 PM Friday (February 28) at Coe-Genung Funeral Home, 46 W. Main St., Waterloo, NY. The memorial service will be 11 AM Saturday (March 1) at Geneva Presbyterian Church, 24 Park Pl., Geneva, NY. Rev. Colin Pritchard, pastor of the church, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, Darlene's family asks that donations be sent on her behalf to support cancer research and women's health at the Mount Sinai Hospital Tisch Cancer Center (https://icahn.mssm.edu/research/tisch/about/give). The family would also welcome donations in Darlene's name to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge (cancer.org/hopelodge) or Beverly Animal Shelter (https://www.mygiving.net/donate/Beverly-Animal-Shelter). Born May 13, 1970 in Geneva and raised in Waterloo, Darlene became a pillar of the Finger Lakes community. She was a alumna of Waterloo High School (1988), Finger Lakes Community College (2002), and Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2004 & 2005). Darlene worked indefatigably to obtain her degrees in English and Education while raising her four children. She then served as an educator in various districts across the region. Darlene became a Special Education and English teacher at Waterloo High School in 2014, where she worked until her passing. At school, Darlene served as the advisor for the Student Council and the Diversity Club. She was a steadfast champion for inclusion and sought to make every student feel celebrated for who they are. Darlene was also a fierce ally to the LGBTQ community and a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma professional society for women in education. She previously served as a scout leader for the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts and a coach for youth soccer. Darlene acted in community theatre with the Seneca Community Players and was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church in Geneva. Darlene enjoyed cooking, baking, swimming, shopping, reading, gardening, and altogether providing a comfortable space for family and friends to gather and celebrate life. She also adored her two dogs, Lucy and Harper, with whom she and Fred often went camping and walked at Seneca Lake. Most importantly, Darlene will be remembered for her deep kindness, empathy, courage, intelligence, quirky charm, and gorgeous smile. In September 2024, Darlene was diagnosed with a rare form of hepatobiliary cancer. She bravely underwent chemotherapy and radiation in October and extensive surgeries in January. Unfortunately, after nearly five weeks recovering in the hospital, Darlene passed away from complications following her surgeries. She died cancer-free. She is survived by her soulmate and adoring husband of 37 years, Fred Cieri; four beloved children and their partners, Shane (James) Cieri, Caitlin (Mark) Ryan, Drew (Megan Bleck) Cieri, and Ricky (Tyler McDonald) Cieri; grandchildren Liam and Rosie Ryan; siblings Karen (Denny) Campbell and Charles Colegrove; dear cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many other relatives, friends, colleagues, and students. Darlene was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Elizabeth Colegrove; and her father-in-law, Frederick Cieri Sr.