City of Southlake employee dies from COVID-19 complications

A city of Southlake employee who tested positive for COVID-19 has died, the city announced April 17.

Darlene Rubio was an administrative secretary in the city’s public works department.

“Darlene’s death is a mighty blow to our organization,” City Manager Shana Yelverton said in a news release. "As a military veteran and an award-winning, tenured employee, she knew what it meant to be a faithful public servant.”

She had worked with the city since August 2015, according to the city.

“Darlene was a cornerstone to our operations,” Public Works Director Rob Cohen said in the release. “Her ability to work through the sometimes complicated nature of our business made her an essential member of our team.”