Family, Friends Remember the 'Queen of Sole,' Darlene Flynn

Darlene Flynn is shown here with part of her shoe collection from a photo in the 2013 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

Family and friends of Darlene Flynn describe her as a bubbly personality who liked to dance and truly enjoyed life. Thus, they felt, it was appropriate to meet at the Wild West Arena and Saloon in Winchester -- a place she enjoyed gathering with others -- to celebrate a life that was tragically cut short.

About 40 people attended the informal memorial service today for Flynn, 58, who was found dead at her home on Monday, allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend. In addition to stories about Flynn's obsession with her world-record shoe collection, those who knew and loved her shared other memories of the longtime Menifee resident.

"She was always doing something kind for somebody," said her sister, Cindy Thomas of Dover, New Hampshire. "Darlene had very strong faith. I know she's in heaven. We joked about shoe heaven, but I know she's in heaven."

A woman who grew up with a love for the Beatles and later Carrie Underwood, Flynn enjoyed country music and dancing the two-step at local watering holes such as the Wild West Saloon and the Ponderosa Bar and Grill in the Sun City community of Menifee. She also loved her two dogs.

But it's hard to discuss her life without talking about her collection of more than 18,000 shoes, ceramic shoes, shoe pillows, shoe blankets and virtually everything else shoes -- a hobby for which she became known as the "Queen of Sole" and was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records (above).

In fact, said Thomas, Flynn had a dream of opening a shoe museum and was working on plans to design miniature ceramic collectible shoes -- one representing each state -- that could sold to raise money for foster children and orphans.

"One of the things she always wanted was to be on Ellen (DeGeneres)," Thomas said about her sister's dream to be on the celebrity's TV show. "She wanted to dance down the aisle with Ellen in her light-up shoes. She wanted to be on Oprah, too."

Gail Richardson of Menifee said she has known for Flynn for 15 years and considered her a special friend.

"She helped me out a lot when I needed it," Richardson said. "I was in her house many times and spent many hours talking with her. Darlene was the kind of person who, when you called, you knew she'd be there for you. She was a great person and I miss her dearly."

Flynn's father, Wayne Fritz, struggled to collect his thoughts when asked about his daughter.

"I'm still getting over missing her," he said. "I have a lot of good thoughts to remember. Shoes were her niche in life, and I was proud of her for that. She made it a business and got to travel a lot with it."

Lisa Gomez of Sun City said she used to hang out at the Ponderosa with Flynn and is still in shock about her death.

"I saw her at Ponderosa about two weeks ago and said hello," Gomez said. "She was a good dancer and always happy. She was always smiling, and she would do anything for you."

That willingness to help others may have been a factor in her death. Thomas said her sister couldn't turn away someone she had befriended. According to Thomas, that included 29-year-old Justin Charles Smith, who was arrested and charged for her murder after he was found running away from the murder scene.

Smith and Flynn had a rocky relationship dating back to 2008, friends and family members said.

"They hadn't been together for a while," Thomas said. "She didn't want to throw him out on the street. He is an evil man. If anything positive comes out of this, it should be for others to know that if you're in an abusive relationship, get out. And if people know something like this is going on, reach out to help. Don't wait until something like this happens."

Smith's arraignment on murder charges is set for Aug. 8.

Flynn's body will be cremated and there will be no funeral or other memorial service. She is survived by her parents, Wayne and Mary Fritz; sisters Cindy and Donna; brothers Steve and Kevin; and a son, Shawn.

Darlene Flynn's house was filled with every kind of shoe collectible item.

Only part of her collection were actual shoes she could wear, but there were hundreds of those, too.

Family and friends celebrated the life of Darlene Flynn at the Wild West Salooon.