Kathleen Elaine Crogan was born March 23, 1919 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her proud parents were Kathern and Thomas Crogan. Her brother Robert arrived before her and her sister Thomasina came later.

Elaine attended private school run by the Sisters of Ursuline. After graduation she decided to become a nurse. She attended St. Francis School of Nursing at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh. After receiving her R.N. she worked at St. Francis until she joined the Navy in 1943. Her first duty station was Philadelphia Naval Hospital. From there she received orders to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. Coming from the east coast Laine was astounded by the geraniums in California. She always loved geraniums and planted them everywhere. At Oak Knoll Hospital she met a Chief Pharmacists Mate named Bill Darton. The romance blossomed until cut short by a set of orders sending Laine to Guam. There she treated the sick and wounded from WWII, especially those from Iwo Jima. In the meantime Bill was sent with the troops to invade Japan. When President Truman decided to end the war, Bill became part of the occupation forces. He has never forgotten those experiences. Separated by time and distance Bill and Laine finally caught up with each other nearly three years later in New Orleans. Laine was out of the Navy after four years and working at a hospital in New Orleans. Wedding bells rang in St. Bernard Parish on October 19, 1947 and Mr. and Mrs. William Darton faced the world together. A tour of duty in Key West, Florida and then on to Naval Hospital in Long Beach, California where a baby girl, Christine Marie was born in 1949. The family was next stationed at Naval Hospital in San Diego where in 1951 Timothy Jay was born. The family was now complete and settled into their home in San Diego. Bill's next orders took him to Korea and Laine kept everything together stateside while he was away. After returning from Korea the family received a big reward-a TWO YEAR TOUR in HAWAII. Christine and Tim really enjoyed their time in Hawaii. One of their biggest surprises there was that in Hawaii Santa arrived by helicopter! In 1955 the family returned to San Diego where Bill became an instructor at the Corps School, Naval Hospital. Laine was now a stay-at-home mom and enjoying it. Next, after retiring from the Navy, Bill went to college to get his teaching credential. Laine enjoyed her life as the wife of a teacher and administrator. Christine and Tim grew up and started their own lives and careers. Tim has two sons, Matthew and Christopher. Both boys are in college. Laine and Bill have lived in San Diego for 57 years. They have been members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church since it was founded in 1955. Laine sang in the choir for 14 years and loved every moment. She served as President of the Altar Society and was a faithful member of the Perpetual Adoration Society for 25 years. Bill and Elaine were to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on October 19th, but suddenly Laine is gone. When you are given the gift of life there is no expiration date written on it. We are all shocked. The outpouring of love from family and friends is bountiful but comfort is hard to find. Wife-mother-grandmother-friend all wrapped up in one beautiful woman now gone from our sight but not from our hearts. All love to our Laine.

Viewing at Cypress View Monday October 15th, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. with Rosary at 6 p.m. Mass at Holy Spirit Church 10 a.m. Tuesday October 16th with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery Garden of Hope.