Darlene Azevedo Kelly, who spent her childhood in Modesto, CA, peacefully passed on December 29, 2023 with her husband and her children by her side in St. Petersburg, Florida. Darlene was 74 years old. 

Darlene was born in March 19, 1949 to Dorothy and Raymond Azevedo as their first of two daughters. After graduating high school in 1967 in Modesto, she attended University of California at Berkley, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She attended Golden Gate University Law School graduating with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1976, and was admitted to the California Bar Association that same year. She attended New York University and graduated with a Taxation Masters of Law (LL.M.) Degree in 1982, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Tax Court that same year. 

Darlene practiced as a partner of Caswell, Bell and Sullivan in Fresno, CA specializing in Estate  Planning, Business Law and Tax Law.  Although her expertise was in taxation, trusts and estate planning, Darlene's passion was for abused and abandoned children and indigent or incarcerated parents struggling in California Dependency system. Darlene practiced juvenile dependency law, representing thousands of children in the trial court and on appeal. In 2005, she limited her practice solely to appeals of dependency and family law matters, representing both parents and children. She was successful in obtaining reversals of adverse trial actions against her clients in at least five published, and over 15 unpublished, opinions. Darlene was certified as a specialist in Child Welfare Law by the National Association of Counsel for Children, and was a certified Appellate Specialist. She refused to let her vast tax knowledge and expertise go to waste, so she volunteered, trained and managed AARP's Tax Aid program in Central California for many years, and she continued to volunteer after moving to Florida in 2019. 

Darlene was so vibrant and full of life that she was working on dependency appeals cases and preparing to volunteer as an AARP volunteer tax preparer on the day she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Darlene was talented and adventurous in so many ways, always wanting to travel and cherishing experiences and making fond memories with those she loved. She was an avid reader who never stopped learning and an amazing wife, mother, sister, grandmother and soon to be great-grandmother. She had the unique ability to relate to everyone she met with a listening ear, compassionate heart and a non-judgmental attitude. Darlene's passion and deep love for her family was evident to them every day. When Darlene wasn't working or volunteering, she could be found on her balcony, enjoying the amazing view with a glass of chardonnay and her dear husband. Her life would seem too short to many, and those of us who were blessed to be touched by her understand that the world will be a poorer place without her. She will be dearly and sorely missed for many years to come.   May her positive influence on all those around her be carried on by all who knew her.

Darlene is survived by her loving husband, Ben Riley Kelly (81), Sister Diane Nelson; Children (by birth, adoption, and marriage): Shawna Petrushkin (50) and spouse, Billy Petrushkin, Lydia Armstrong (Azevedo-Kelly) (46) and spouse, Robert Armstrong, Charles Kelly (54) and spouse, Jennifer Kelly, John Kelly (48) and betrothed, Lesley Hepp; Grandchildren (by age): Aniessa Hinojosa (28), Jessica Livingston (Kelly) (27) and spouse, John Livingston, Thomas Kelly (27) and spouse, Abby Rinaldi, Ryleigh Hinojosa (26) and betrothed, Jarret Nelson, Shannon Bisceglia (Kelly) (24) and spouse, Noah Bisceglia, Victoria McIntyre (Hinojosa) (23) and spouse, Josh McIntyre, Samuel Kelly (22), Brady Petrushkin (11), Bella Rose Kelly (3 weeks).

She is also deeply missed by her close cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, and many that she loved as her own children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to World Vision – Sponsor a child, an organization Darlene supported and cared for.

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