Darlene Diana Dietrich Mizejewski

Darlene Diana Dietrich Mizejewski, 78, of Beechwood Dr. entered into eternal life with her Lord and Savior on Thursday March 11, 2021 at Capital Living Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Schenectady. She was born just outside Hagerstown, Maryland on Jan. 3, 1943 as an only child of Marvin and Edith Dietrich. Her parents owned several appliance dealerships & repair stores in Hagerstown. Her mother raised and groomed her as a real “Lady” with piano lessons and training in Proper Etiquette and poise. During her high school years, she was an “A” student and took advanced college courses to prepare her for university. She was a member of the high school color guard marching band and majorettes. In her later teen years, she and her father joined as volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary branch of the U.S. Airforce. The CAP is an aircraft spotter and search/rescue group in which members are flown to various sites in Maryland as needed. She achieved the CAP rank as captain and her father as Lieutenant Colonel. Darlene gained her private pilot’s aircraft license at age of 17 and participated in HOT ROD car repair and racing.



At age of 18, she enrolled as a freshman at the University of Maryland and as a sophomore, entered the University School of Nursing, a 5 year program at the UNIV HOSPITAL in Baltimore, MD. In 1965, she graduated from the UNIV of MD with a bachelor’s degree coupled with a RN degree certification. This allowed her to serve as a Head Nurse in subsequent nursing positions. A week following her graduation, she married her biochemistry Professor, Dr. Gerald Mizejewski, (June 12, 1965) and resided on campus for 2 more years in College Park, MD. Darlene worked as an RN at a local community hospital (Geriatrics) during this time. In years following, she achieved a master’s degree in Public Health Administration. Her nursing experience included OB/GYN, newborns/delivery, pediatrics, geriatrics, long term care, and intensive care unit.



Due to her husbands need for additional postdoctoral training and internship, Darlene moved and worked in several different states (Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina) where she was employed as a BS/RN nurse at the UNIV of Michigan hospital, UNIV of SC hospital, and the VA hospital over a course of 9 years. In 1974, her husband was recruited to work as a Biochemist for the New York State Health Dept. Research LABS and they relocated to Albany, NY with their children. While in Albany, Darlene worked as a Nurse at the Leonard Hospital in Troy, Glendale Nursing Home and as a Visiting Public Health Nurse for Saratoga County. After her 25 yr career, she began a 5 year tenure as a secretary for the Clifton Park Republican Party and as an Administrative Assistant for Robert Prentiss in the New York Assembly at the downtown Albany Capital Building.



Darlene’s hobbies were toll painting on tin, antique collection, attending craft fairs and sport card conventions. She also sold MARY KAY cosmetics in her spare time. Darlene had 5 children and currently has 6 grandchildren. Some of her children live out-of-state in Maryland and Florida; the rest in NY. She was also a den mother for the Boy Scouts and Brownie Leader for the Girl Scouts.



Survivors in addition to her beloved husband Gerald, included her children, Steven (Floise) Mizejewski, William M. Mizejewski, Susan (Adam Joubert) Mizejewski, Gerald (Jaime) Mizejewski, Jr., Michael (Cindy) Mizejewski and the late James Mizejewski; devoted grandmother of Robin, Rennie, Sasha, Darcy, Brook and Paige.

A funeral service will be at on Thursday, March 18 at 11:00 AM at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown with pastor Chad Carter officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery, Hagerstown.

Family will receive friends one hour prior.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142. Due to the pandemic, facial covering and social distancing will be required.