PEMBERVILLE — Dreading another dreary Ohio winter day? Drop in to Darlene Eggert’s room for some divine
inspiration and a whole lot of color.
The eight-year resident of Otterbein Portage Valley has decorated her tiny room in a riot of color. It’s
filled with hundreds of family photos, pictures that she’s colored, and dozens of trinkets bought at her
favorite craft stores.
“I love life and you don’t have to be bored,” said Eggert, who is 84. “I don’t believe in it. Uh-uh. No
way.”
Hundreds of family photos are pinned to her walls, which also feature a vibrant quilt hanging. A giant
basket filled with a rainbow of feathers is in another corner. Buckets of markers, pencils and crayons
peek out of every nook and cranny. Her furniture includes a zig-zag, striped and spotted loveseat and a
dresser that has a drawer in every color.
The fascination with color extends to her wardrobe.
Eggert does her hair — usually with a colorful bow to match her outfit — and makeup everyday. On this
afternoon, she’s clad in a shimmery, emerald green tunic. Her manicured fingers have at least four
rings. A beaded blue and green necklace adorns the blouse.
She’s been known to wrap a boa around her shoulders for lunch.
Is there ever a day that calls for some sweatpants and a baseball cap?
“I love bright. I don’t think I have a white shirt in this place,” she said, refuting the casual look.

Geri Ricker, community information coordinator, said Otterbein participates in “resident’s choice.”
“We encourage residents to surround themselves with all the things they love,” she said. “Darlene always
welcomes everyone to Otterbein Portage Valley. She is that bright, welcoming light, encouraging others
to join in.”
A favorite pastime of Eggert’s is wheeling down to the Otterbein gift shop. She’s on a first-name basis
with the clerks and knows right away if anything’s been added, or is perhaps going to be discounted.
Eggert also spends a lot of time outside of Otterbein. She’s the first to sign up for a field trip and
her family regularly takes her out to eat.
She loves to play cards — euchre and Kings in the Corner are favorites — which she credits to keeping her
sharp mind.
Eggert came to Otterbein in bad shape — her own admission.
Her husband of 64 years, Clarence “Bud,” had died. She had broken a leg and said her teeth were “messed
up.” Instead of slipping into a funk, Eggert focused on recovery.
“I snapped back,” she said, crediting her family for motivation.
“I know people love me. My children love me.”
Her son and daughter live in Curtice and Toledo and are frequently in touch, along with four
grandchildren.
Eggert is a lifelong East Toledo resident, who worked for a doctor, in insurance and as a secretary, car
hop and JCPenney clerk.
In 2017, she plans to dabble in ceramics, which was a favorite hobby when she used to watch her
grandchildren. They would often spend an entire day crafting, she remembered.
“I put little aprons over the boys and would paint,” Eggert said, adding that the grandchildren call her
“Mimi.”