When Darlene Schultheis was in Good Samaritan Hospital, critically ill and suffering with cancer, an elderly woman was transferred into her hospital room. The woman had recently been diagnosed with cancer and was frightened and upset. Darlene called her husband and asked him to bring the woman some flowers the next day to cheer her up.

"That was Darlene, always putting other people first," said her mother Anna L. Carangi.

Darlene A. Schultheis, a lifelong resident of West Islip, died July 22 following a four-year, courageous battle with cancer. She was 46 years old.

Darlene was born in Brooklyn. When she was 8, her parents Anna L. and the late Anthony F. Carangi moved to West Islip with her and her two younger brothers. She attended West Islip Schools and married her high school sweetheart, James E. Schultheis. They made their home in West Islip and had two children, Jimmy, now 19 and Jackie 15.

"Darlene always put her children first and felt they were the most important thing in her life," said her mother.

The couple owned and operated Sequams Colony Deli for 19 years. Darlene worked part time as a bank teller for Citi Bank in Amityville, where she was known for her friendliness. "She always had a smile for everyone and had the wonderful ability to remember everyone’s name," said her mother.

Her family said that when she was diagnosed with melanoma, Darlene was determined to fight the disease and do whatever was necessary to prolong her life. She vowed never to give up. Throughout her battle she always had a smile on her face and never once complained, said her family. While in excruciating pain, she would still manage to ask others how they were doing.

A woman with many friends, Darlene was known for her compassion and generosity and her sense of humor. "She truly loved life and the people in it," said her mother. "Nothing meant more to her than her family and her friends and she was an inspiration to all throughout her illness."

In addition to her husband James, her children Jimmy and Jackie, and her mother Anna Carangi, all of West Islip, Darlene Schultheis is survived by her brothers Anthony and his wife Jennifer of Pennsylvania and Christopher and his wife Melissa of West Islip. She is also survived by her nieces, and nephews and many friends.

Mrs. Schultheis reposed at Chapey Funeral Home in West Islip. She was buried in Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery, Farmingdale.