NICHOLLS CLASS OF 1961
Francis T. Nicholls High School
New Orleans, Louisiana


BIOGRAPHY
Darlene Allain Edgecombe Mollere

My big dream was to become a wife, homemaker and mother of six. I went to college anyway—LSUNO—but completed only three semesters. I left college to marry and realize my lifelong dream. But the six kids never came; in fact, I never had any children. I was at one time, however, fortunate enough to be foster mom to three lovely girls. Life wasn’t working out as I planned. I discovered a talent for sales, so when I divorced in 1974 I shifted gears. First, I “sold” people as a personnel counselor; then I “sold” travel, eventually becoming agency manager. During that time I had the opportunity to meet many people and to experience a variety of cultures.

After eight exciting years of globe trotting, I down shifted and took a job as executive secretary at a bank in New Orleans. From there I became Administrative Assistant to the CEO and Chairman of the Board. Three years later I began preparing for the mission field. In 1990 I flew halfway around the world to serve the people of Togo, West Africa. I have to say that to me this was the most glorious path on my walk through life. While there, I worked with seasoned pastors and their families from countries throughout West and Central Africa. I got to express my love for children with ministries at the local school for the deaf and the boarding school for children of ambassadors and tribal leaders from Anglophone countries all over Africa. In 1991 I returned home to get my degree hoping to return to Togo.

I enrolled at the University of New Orleans but fate’s fickle finger intervened once more. While pursuing my studies, the illness my mother suffered from worsened. Although I consider caring for Mom to have been my great privilege, I never did get back to Africa. I am proud to say I finally graduated, and at age 50 I “walked” to receive my Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies with emphasis on Deaf Education and Cultural Diversity. Good thing I like change. In 2001 change found me again when I was a victim of “corporate downsizing.” By this time I had come to enjoy a simple life. I found a job that satisfied the soul— working with people who had suffered traumatic brain injury. In 2006 my day of triumph arrived—I officially retired.

Nine years ago I put down roots and made my home on six acres in a rural area surrounded by nature’s beauty. I share life with my 11-year-old faithful companion, Sambuca, a most lovable, entertaining, and intelligent Maltese, and my five-year-old Papito, who is an adorable, also loveable, Chihuahua. I enjoy puttering in the garden. I have resurrected an old hobby of knitting and learned to crochet. Now I am learning to make beaded jewelry. No, it’s not the husband and six kids I envisioned, but it has been a grand, exciting life of adventure, challenge, and diversity. There’s never a dull moment; and never have I had much opportunity to become bored with what God has placed before me.
Darlene can be contacted at dembuca @ juno.com
 
Darlene
. . .  and Papito and Sambuca