Meet Darlene Huff, a dynamic 63-year-old Canadian who was born in Calgary and has lived in Edmonton, Vancouver, Mississauga, Oakville, and Cambridge. Now, she proudly calls Vancouver Island home. With a passion for empowering women, Darlene inspires them to tackle life’s challenges—whether in the boardroom or on the backcountry trails—with confidence, courage, and a bit of sass.
Where did you grow up, and what did you like or dislike about that place?
My dad was in the service, so I moved around a lot. For the first 6 years of my life, we lived in three different cities before settling in Edmonton, Alberta, where I stayed until I was 24. There were so many great friends and memories from those years, but those -40°C winters were tough to bear!
What age are you, and what age do you feel?
At 63, I feel liberated most of the time, and I’m at peace with speaking my truth. If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be: "Don’t wait until you're 60 to fully embrace life!"
Is there something that you would like your Sole Sisters to know about aging from where you are right now?
This year, my husband and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary—our second marriage each, and we got it right this time around! Together, we have five wonderful children (aged 33-41), six grandchildren (aged 4-19), six granddogs, and five grandcats. Aging has taught me to embrace family, love, and the joy of shared experiences.
What was the best day of your life?
The best day of my life? Honestly, every day with my family is a treasure, but it would be hard to top the day I married my soulmate—our second chance at love was worth the wait!
Where is your favorite place to ramble, and why do you love it?
My favorite ramble is Stoney Hill on Vancouver Island. It offers something for everyone—gorgeous trails, amazing views, and the peace of nature. Plus, it’s close to Genoa Bay Café, which serves the world’s best carrot cake. What’s not to love?
What is on your nightstand?
A pile of books! I once heard someone say, "Surround yourself with more books than you can possibly read," and I’ve definitely done that. One of my favorites is The Weight of Ink—it challenged me to look up words in the dictionary and Google meanings on almost every page, but I learned so much from it.
What is your dream ramble?
My dream rambles are all about inclusivity. I want each woman to feel acknowledged for the unique gifts she brings. It's challenging, as we all have different abilities and intentions, but I strive to offer rambles that inspire every woman to connect with nature and nurture herself in the process.
READ MORE > Rambler Profiles, Rambler Cafe Blog
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