This
past January, Darlene was diagnosed with cancer. On May 11th 2005 she
succumbed to the great battle. She fought a hard fight. We will never
be the same without her.
Darlene Dawson McCullough began to
seriously study the art of photography upon meeting Norman in 1981.
As a Theater Arts Major at Frostburg State University in Frostburg,
MD Darlene investigated many forms of art. Her husband and shooting
partner, introduced her to the sport of SCUBA Diving in1983. Combining
her love of the ocean and all living things with her natural eye for
composition, Darlene began capturing her underwater experiences on
film to share with friends and family back on the surface. Understanding that there is so much to learn from under the water’s surface and yet there are so many people who don’t get to experience it first hand, she saw a need for art such as this. Darlene’s
art made us all see and appreciate all that the ocean has to offer
us.
Darlene lived life to the fullest. She traveled to the furthest corners of the globe - Bali, Indonesia, the big island of Hawaii, Dominica, Cozumel, Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay region were just a few places where nature creates a sense of spirituality that can only be captured only in a photograph.
She helped countless brides, thousands of which had officially
been adopted as 'nieces & nephews', always brightened a room with her
smile and just made life more fun. She was a best friend, an older sister,
a creative eye and an old soul. She loved her family, her husband of
25 years, Norman, her dog Buc and cat Hallie, her gardens, her crafts
and her beach house in North Carolina. She will be missed greatly.
"Sometimes the best map will not guide
you
You can't see what's round the bend.
Sometimes the road leads through dark places
Sometimes the darkness is your friend.
Today these eyes scan bleached-out land,
For the coming of the outbound stage
Pacing the cage... "
- Jimmy Buffett
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, in an attractive & well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out & screaming....WHOA WHAT A RIDE!!!!!"
"Some people love to lead
And some refuse to dance.
Some play it safely, other take a chance.
Still it's all a mystery
This place we call the world
Where most live as oysters While some become pearls." - Jimmy Buffett
We love & miss you "Aunt" Darlene.
..We will continue your work in your honor...
