Mary Darling
March 20, 1954 ~ May 27, 2018
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Mary Darling, 64, of Miller, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2018 at her home.
Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 1, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 31, 2018 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.
Mary was born March 20, 1954 in Miller to Robert and Katherine (Fieldsend) Henson. She grew up on the farm south of Ree Heights. She attended Spring Hill School through eighth grade and then Miller High School where she graduated in 1972. She attended South Dakota State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
She was married to Michael Darling and to this union, a daughter, Mikayla, was born in 1983.
Mary worked as a RN at Yuma Regional Medical Center in the neonatal nursery for several years. In 1993, she and her daughter moved to Miller where she was employed at Hand County Clinic and then with Hand County Home Health/Hospice until her retirement in 2016.
Mary enjoyed life to the fullest, making friends wherever she went. She enjoyed taking care of people and helping them wherever they might be. Many home health/hospice families would say “she was our angel”. Her biggest joy was her daughter, Mikayla and granddaughter, Addison.
Grateful to have shared in Mary’s life were her daughter, Mikayla Darling (Jerad Wendorff), granddaughter, Addison Rae, step grandson, Easton Wendorff, and granddog, Zoey, all of Sioux Falls; mother, Katherine Henson of Miller; siblings: Janet Dalton of Miller, Mavis (Gale) Auch of Miller, Jim (Terri) Henson of Miller, and Carol (Duran) Swaney of St. Lawrence; niece, Tina Martinez of Colorado City, TX; nephews, Curtis Henson of Miller; step-nephews: Brent and Tyler Swaney of St. Lawrence and special friend, Doug Moncur of Miller.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Henson in 2001; and her maternal and paternal grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Mary’s granddaughter, Addison.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Mary's arrangements.
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I heard this earlier today and am so sad. Mary and I shared the same birth date but with her being one year younger. When I card her I usually would make her the same age and tease her that she had caught up with me. It’s the silly things you remember about people. I’ll sure miss her smiling face.
My sincere sympathy to the family of Mary Darling.
We are so very, very sorry.
How surprised and saddened we were to learn this news. What a dedicated health provider she was. Please accept our sincere sympathy–may your precious memories and Gods love and grace help ease your loss. Sincerely, Harlan and Kathryn
I am so sorry for your loss Mary was a kind, wonderful, caring person. When Don was ill and dying she was great support and comfort. Hold your memories close. Sue Johannsen
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was such a kind, loving person. She helped take care of my Mom when Mom had cancer. Mom loved seeing her and so did I. Praying for comfort and strength for you in the days ahead. May God wrap his loving arms around you in your time of sorrow.
I’m just at a loss. While we’re separated by many miles, my thoughts are with you all.
Loved Mary, loved her laugh. Many happy memories. My heart goes out to her family.
Mary was the most kind & caring person and a wonderful neighbor I’ll miss seeing her out in the yard mowing and picking up stuff around the yard. May God give all of you his love & grace during this hard time. I will miss her smiling face.
Mary will be dearly missed. She had spunk, she was full of life and a beautiful smile. Her awesomeness was contagious and drew you in. My condolences to the Mikayla and Hensen families.
Mikayla and Darling family – I am so very sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Sending you love and hugs.
Mikayla so sorry for the loss of your mom , you are in our thoughts and prayers From …. The Fox’s
MikaylaDarling. Sending you much Love …so many wonderful memories of your Mom! Sweet Mary… see you in Heaven
My heart is broken. May God surround you all with his love and grace.
so sorry for your loss
I met Mary when she was working with Hand County Health and I worked with clients in their homes. She would come to their homes to check on them. She was so good with the people and had such a beautiful, friendly, personality. Everyone looked forward to her visits. I never forgot her and am saddened by her passing. I know she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. My prayers go out to you all during this time.
I was very shocked and saddened to read about Mary’s passing. I remember her as a nurse for Hand County Community Health and Hospice. I know how much she cared for her patients because she helped care for a very dear friend of mine who had cancer. She was a credit to the profession of nursing and will be missed in the community. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family and friends. God’s love and peace to everyone!
Lots of good memories of Mary, and all with a big smile and a twinkle in her eye. We’ll miss her.
Mary, she was such a helpful person when my Mom needed help. Mom loved Mary. Her laughter went all the way thru her. She will be remembered forever.
My prayers and love go out to Marys family. Even though we were miles apart the last several years, our friendship remained close. What a wonderful person. She will be missed by all. What great memories I will cherish. Love, Lu
My sympathy goes out to the entire Henson family. I have many fond memories of growing up in Green Valley and attending Cedar Church that involve Mary and her family. I’m hoping those fond memories you all have of her will comfort you in the days to come.
Our deepest sympathy, Mary was such a wonderful caregiver, we will remember all she did for our family when we had members with health issues. May the love of family and friends help you during this time.
Our heart felt sympathies! Mary always had a smile that was so infectious. Prayers for your family.
Our sympathies to you all; Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
So sad to hear about Mary. My college life was with her. We left South Dakota together to see the world, starting with Texas. That laugh, that unending compassion. Love and prayers to Mikayla and family. With deep heartfelt sympathy.
Thinking of you and your family.
Mary has earned her wings!! ❤ May you be graced with many happy memories & comfort as you grieve.
Our condolences to Mary’s family. She was a very special person.
Prayers to the Henson family. I met Mary last year at the Ed Henson memorial. Could tell there was a lot of love in her world.
So Sorry to hear of your loss. She will be missed. Our Deepest Sympathy Dick and Kathy Splichal
We extended sincere sympathy to all of Mary’s family. What a loss.
Our deepest sympathy to all the families. I have many memories of Green Valley with school and 4-H. I pray some of those same memories will help you through this difficult time.
Mary you ar e the greatest and we will miss your smiling face dearly ! God must have needed a special angel when he chose you ! You will be remembered for the kind,special person you were ! God bless !
So sorry for your loss, Mikayla. Was a beautiful, loving Mom you had. A smile and a laugh from Mary would brighten the room. We will meet again, Mary. God bless you.
I will always wonder why you were taken away from us so soon? Some day we will have that conversation! I will miss you every day I will think of things we talked about and places we were going to go and take you with me in my heart and your spirit will always be with me to guide me thru the dark times as well as the light! I love you and will miss you but like I said we will have all these conversations one day again! Love Patty
My condolences to Mary’s family.
Mary took care of my mom before she passed and my mom just loved her. Also in February my sister got together in St. Lawrence and Mary gave me and my sister a ride home. She was so kind and always smiling. Loved her. So sorry to hear of her passing. My mom and her are dancing up in heaven. She is another one of my angels.