Darlene Arbina Borba Prouty, 83, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19th surrounded by her loving family at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, CA. After a long fight, her heart, body, mind and soul are now finally at peace.
Darlene was born in Newman, CA on June 18, 1930, the second of two darling daughters, to Irma Lee Young and Henry “Wildcat” Borba. Raised in Crows Landing, Darlene received her fighting spirit from her father, the welter weight boxer “Wildcat” Borba, and her strong willed Irish mother who was always trying to stay one step ahead of her lively youngest daughter.
Darlene attended Turlock schools and Turlock High school. She met the love of her life, Ernest Prouty of Turlock and they married in 1950.  Ernest and Darlene went on to have 5 children; Dennis and Arlene Prouty of Hughson (children- Craig and Denise), Russ and Luanne Prouty of Hickman (children- Russell and Amy Martin), Douglas Prouty of Ajo, AZ (children- Jeanene Coxe, Heather Sand, Doug, Tammy Gibson and Tracy), Debra and Don Volk of Turlock (children- Derrick, Darin and Lea) and Diane and Tom Watling of Turlock (Jaclyn Watling Joy).
Darlene was a member of the First Christian Church of Turlock of which her Grandmother was a charter member. First Christian was her second home as a child and she was proud of her perfect attendance many years in a row. Darlene belonged to the Hughson Twentieth Century  Club, the Turlock Women’s Bowling League and The Moose Lodge. Together Darlene and Ernest started Ernest Prouty and Sons Trucking Co. and Darlene kept immaculate books for the company for 25 years, maintaining the position of “chief financial adviser”.  In later years, her maternal advisory talents were used on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Darlene and Ernest kept their brood of five busy with whatever moved them; they had pets, birds, FFA show animals, a rock band, high school bands, motorcycles, and quads.  Darlene was proud of winning 2 Powder Puff Derby car races and she was also a “Homemaker” in the traditional sense. She loved cooking delicious dinners for her family and gathering friends over for her popular chicken bar-b-q’s.  She bred poodles and schipperkes and raised many litters of puppies over the years.  
Once all 5 children had flown the coop, Ernest and Darlene set their sights on travel. They took cruises to Alaska and Mexico but received the most enjoyment traveling in their recreational vehicles.  Ernest had driven truck all his life and being on the road in control of a big rig of any kind, going someplace exciting, was where they both wanted to be. These trips took them all over the country including Florida for the 49er Super Bowl. Arizona was where they eventually gravitated and became “snowbirds” for many, many years, forming new friendships with mutual snowbirds from all over the United States. Darlene and Ernest were a true love connection, they enjoyed the same things, shared the same obsessions and can now reunite and continue on their journey.
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ernest Prouty, mother Irma Griffeath, father Henry Borba, step-father Donald Griffeath, step-mother Lillian Collins Griffeath, and her sister Marjean Olson.
Darlene is survived by her 5 children, 13 Grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Friday, November 22nd at 11 AM at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd. in Turlock.  Entombment will follow at Chapel of the Memories Mausoleum at Turlock Memorial Park.