Darlene Norma Jean Moran's Obituary
Darlene Norma Jean Iman Perez Moran, 64, of Mililani, Hawaii, entered eternal rest on June 16, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with illness surrounded by her loving family and the wonderful staff at St. Francis Hospice. She was born in Wahiawa, Hawaii on June 14, 1962, to Eleanor (Walt) Machnicki and Richard Iman (departed). She was lovingly adopted and raised by her maternal grandmother, Mary Gracioza Tabion Perez (departed), and grandfather, Francisco Perez (departed).
Darlene lived a vibrant, accomplished, and multi-faceted life. With a brilliant mind,
Darlene graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in
mathematics, a field where she excelled. Her school years were also filled with music
and joy as a talented saxophone player in both her high school and college marching
bands.
She carried her incredible work ethic throughout her adult life, balancing multiple
professional roles. From working at HMSA to shaping young minds as a substitute
teacher to partnering with her husband to help run his real estate business, she always succeeded at whatever she was tasked with. While she had many professional ventures, her family was an anchor. She prioritized and cherished the precious years that she spent as a stay-at-home mom when her children were young.
Beyond her career, Darlene was passionate about everything she touched. She was an avid golfer, playing with friends, family, and even winning a greenie here and there. Darlene was also an exceptionally talented crafter, making everything from greeting cards on the Cricut to sewing homemade Halloween costumes for her children to creating intricate jewelry and leis. On top of that, she was the most amazing cook and
baker, always arriving at family gatherings with multiple staple dishes and desserts that
everyone eagerly anticipated. In her free time, she loved nothing more than escaping to the bright lights of Las Vegas, spending much time at the “Let It Ride” table where she even won a hand or two. In her most recent venture, Darlene was a dedicated member of Soroptimist International, even serving as the Treasurer, where she proudly
supported scholarships for women continuing their education. Finally, Darlene was also a woman of devout Catholic faith, who lived her beliefs through service to her
community. She was known for her spiritual strength, often leading the family in the
traditional nine-day Rosary Novena for our departed family members.
She is survived by her husband, Michael Moran; children, Bryan Moran and Nikki
(Bronson) Mirafuentes; granddaughter and second grandchild arriving soon; mother,
Eleanor (Walt) Machnicki; and siblings Shirley (Darrin) Kaya, Roberta Craig, Rick
(DeeDee) Iman, Mark Iman, Lance Iman, Joe (Nancy) Tabion, Phil Tabion Sr.
What’s your fondest memory of Darlene?
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