With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Darlene Joyce Woerle, (nee Hoover) 85, of Wyomissing on Monday, May 25, 2026 at St. Francis Home, Shillington, Pa. A woman of extraordinary beauty, strength, and grace, she lived as a force of nature— unyielding, loving, and unforgettably kind. Born in Birdsboro, PA on March 11, 1941, to the late Pauline Nora (Bohn) and Chester Lee Hoover, she was the wife of the late Attorney Alvin A. Woerle.
A member of Atonement Lutheran Church, Wyomissing, Darlene’s faith guided her as she battled cancer for several years.
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:25-26
Darlene loved her siblings and her high school friends, dancing to all the favorite American Bandstand 1950’s 60’s tunes! She loved gardening, cooking our family secret recipes, entertaining, Broadway Musicals and local shows, traveling and family boat trips on the Chesapeake. Her true joy and passion were spending time with her family, holiday dinners and picnics, and spending time with her grandchildren in secret parks and places around Berks County. She was a talented seamstress, working for several knitting mills around Reading, PA. Darlene then worked for her husband’s law firm for 40 years as secretary, Notary Public, and held other positions within her children’s businesses. Mom always had a kind smile and offered encouragement and help to everyone who knew her. A dedicated and passionate community advocate who taught us “the best work is giving back to the community,” her volunteerism was highlighted by enjoying many years on the Mt. Penn Recreation Board and getting to know everyone in the community by volunteering at the polls and becoming Judge of Elections for the borough of Mt. Penn until retiring.
In addition to her children and stepchildren, Daral (Kimberly) Woerle and Kim (Valerie) Woerle, Alison Lutz, Cynthia (Max) Marks, Leslie (John) Resetar and Nancy (Allen) Miller, Darlene is survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Shirley Darrah, Larrie Hoover, Sylvia Beasley, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her siblings Fern, Doris, Ronald, Pauline, Glenn, and additional half siblings.
Visitation with family and friends, Celebration of Life service, followed by lunch will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11AM at Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Blvd, Wyomissing, PA 19610. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Twp.
“Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the McGlinn Cancer Institute, Tower Health at Home Hospice team, our pastoral healthcare team at Atonement Lutheran Church and all volunteers at St. Francis Home for your expertise, compassionate care and spiritual leadership for Mom.”
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Home, 144 Hillside Dr, Reading, PA 19607 or Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Blvd, Wyomissing, PA 19610.
Arrangements entrusted to the John P. Feeney Funeral Home in Reading’s Centre Park Historic District, 625 N. 4th St. at Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601.
Online obituary and condolences at www.johnfeeneyfuneralhome.com.
