Darlene Pelura Maxwell

Darlene Pelura Maxwell, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday October 16th 2022.Daughter of James Pelura Sr. and Rose (DiFerdinando) Pelura, Darlene was born on January 11th 1941 in Salem, NJ. She was a graduate of St. James High School class of 1959. She attended St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Wilmington DE, where she earned her RN degree. She was employed for 40 years at Memorial Hospital of Salem County. Where she was the nursing manager of the ER and for the Home Care / Hospice Departments. She retired in May 2006 and later enjoyed her position as a part time school nurse for local school districts. She received many recognitions during her nursing career, including Nurse of the Year and Salem County Commission on Women’s Women of the Year. Darlene was an active member of the St. James RC Church, St. Gabriel’s Archangel RC Church, The Penns Grove Historical Society, The Women’s Club of Penns Grove/Carneys Point, The Red Hat Society, The Emergency Department Nurses Association, The Washington Club and The American Heart Association. Darlene spent many years making us all laugh, telling jokes at many functions and gatherings, as the little Italian comedian ‘Pasquale’. Darlene had a lifelong love for family and family tradition. She never missed a family event, her favorite being, the annual Pelura / DiFerdinando Family Reunions. Darlene’s nieces and nephews always took her to the local diners for a weekend lunch. She had a lot of love for her girlfriends “The Yaya’s” and the many special nurses she worked with over the years. She is survived by her husband of 60 years James N. Maxwell and three sons. Michael James (Vicky) Maxwell Sr. of Mannington NJ, Christopher (Monica) Maxwell of Carneys Point NJ and Steven Maxwell of Salt Lake City UT. She is survived by five grandchildren. Lindsay Marie Maxwell (Victor Simione) of St. Petersburg FL, Michael James (Katelyn) Maxwell Jr. of Pennsville NJ, Christopher James Maxwell of San Francisco CA, Livy Jay Maxwell of Salt Lake City UT and Maya Rose Maxwell of Salt Lake City UT. She is survived by one great grandchild, Vincent Michael Maxwell She was preceded by her parents, James and Rose Pelura and her five siblings, Frances Merritt, James Pelura, Edith Macconi, Albert Pelura and Evelyn Inouye. Along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She also had many pets, especially Biscuit, Fritz, Boston and Rizzo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to honor Darlene at Alzheimer’s Association, chapter of your choice or online at alz.org. Donations may also be made to honor Darlene to the St. Gabriel’s Archangel RC Church Relatives and friends are invited to visitation for Jim and Darlene on Friday July 14, 2023 10am till 11am at St. Gabriel the Archangel located at 369 Georgetown Road in Carneys Point, NJ. Funeral mass to follow at 11am. Burial at the Salem County Veterans Cemetery will follow the funeral mass.

Darlene Pelura Maxwell

January 11, 1941 - October 16, 2022