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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Patricia P. Darby

Patricia P. Darby, age 87, of Wilmington, passed away on September 12, 2020, at Stonegates Health Center.

Pat was born in 1933, the daughter of George M. and Mamie Pruitt.  In 1944, the family moved to Birmingham Alabama, where Pat met her future husband, Robert A. Darby.  They married in 1952.

After her marriage, Pat enthusiastically set up homes in a variety of locations (and conditions): Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and West Virginia, giving birth to a son in each state.

Pat loved her family and her friends. She enjoyed social bridge, music, and, when the circumstances of her life permitted, skiing and golf.  Her laughter and joyous spirit were a delight.  She was a long-time member of Grace Methodist Church and of the Wilmington Country Club.

Bob preceded her in death in 2011.  She is survived by sons Mark L. and wife Dale of Bala Cynwyd, PA; R. Steven and wife Brandy of Oxford, OH; Paul A. and wife Sally of Amherst, MA; and Philip C. and wife Patty of Pensacola, FL; Grandchildren: Aaron Kinney and wife Kelley; Bridget and husband Ian Schon, Elaina, Paige, Adam, Emma, and Ben; and two great grandchildren, Pierce and Laurel Kinney. She is also survived by her sister Margaret Callahan and husband Jack of Cleveland TN, as well as many nieces and nephews and their descendants.

The family extends special thanks to the staff of Stonegates Health Center for their care for Pat for the past 2 ½ years.

Memorial donations could be made to Ronald MacDonald House or to Grace Methodist Church.

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Funeral Services

Services will be held 10:00AM on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Grace Methodist Church, 900 Washington Street, Wilmington DE, 19801. Masks are required for all guests and masks will be available as needed. Parking is available street side or at a parking lot next to the church. The service will be live-streamed (and also recorded) and available on the church facebook page which is: https://www.facebook.com/GraceChurchUMC/

Condolences

    Diane Olin White lit a candle and writes,
    Pat has been a constant part of our time at Grace Church. She always loved the music and would give us wonderful feedback when we sang something she especially loved. I will miss her caramels, her wit and honesty and friendship. Our deepest sympathy to her family. She always talked about you when we visited. Diane Olin White and Jack White
    09/16/2020 07:27 pm
    Scott Pruitt writes,
    Our prayers for the family. Hope you can have a celebration of Aunt Pat's life soon. She was a wonderful soul and deserves to be remembered by all who's life she touched.
    09/16/2020 08:16 pm
    Elizabeth Ann lit a candle and writes,
    Aunt Pat was such a wonderful Aunt. When ever I would talk to her she would in courage me in many ways and uplift me. She was an amazing lady. I love you Aunt Pat and you are going to be truly missed.
    09/16/2020 08:31 pm
    Debra Holliday lit a candle and writes,
    Aunt Pat your laugh and smile, I will always carry in my heart. We we're blessed to have had a special Aunt as you were and I carry some many wonderful memories always the summers you and the boys shared with us at the Lake.I love you Aunt Pat ❤️ I will miss you .😇😇
    09/16/2020 08:40 pm
    Margaret Pruitt Callahan lit a candle and writes,
    Pat was my sister. She was beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. My sister was a very giving and loving person. Her dream day was having family and friends gathered for a meal around the dining room table sharing stories and laughter with one another. For me, she made it possible to enjoy many activities such as : trips to New York for the ballet and a Broadway musical, antiquing together, and of course, going out to tea. We had so much fun, and I have wonderful memories of her to last for the rest of my life. Like my parents, brothers, sisters, brother-laws and a nephew, Pattie will never be forgotten, always missed, and loved forever. Sis, thanks for the memories. I'll see you in my dreams.
    09/18/2020 11:47 am
    Rev. Jennifer Kerby lit a candle and writes,
    To Pat's beloved family, Thank you for sharing your sweet and spicy mother with us throughout the years. She was so proud of your accomplishments and families and her joy in her grandchildren and great-grands was full of delicious delight. I am grateful for the many precious memories of time spent with her and Bob; his wonderful dry sense of humor and his deep meditations on his faith, her sly wit and great generosity of spirit as well as her honesty about her struggles with others and questions about her faith. I enjoyed her many stories of her childhood and the early days of her marriage and adventures with parenting. I especially admired her courage in facing these last years of her life as she was confined to a dependency on others that surely contradicted her central character nature of independence and self-determination. She understandably didn't like that life of limitation and restrictions and we often prayed for her healing and release; yet always, even that time we spent together was a blessing and encouragement to us both. I thank God that she now knows that release that she so desperately longed for. For the rest of my days, each time I eat a caramel, I will remember that hers were always the best! Peace and prayers to each of you in these days ahead.
    09/20/2020 11:07 am
    Karen Chellquist lit a candle and writes,
    Condolences to Pat's family and friends. Thank you for posting her childhood photo. I can picture the young lady's smile in the older woman's face. Pat enhanced our monthly Bible & Breakfast sessions at Grace with her candor, wit and good humor. As others have said, she spoke lovingly of her family. The only additional comment I may make to those that have been shared is her enjoyment in movies. I'm sure she rests in peace.
    09/23/2020 04:20 pm
    Megan Callahan writes,
    Aunt Pat will be extremely missed. She was always thinking of others even when she was not feeling her best. I will miss hearing her voice. I will always keep her in my heart and enjoy the memories I have of her.
    09/23/2020 06:24 pm
    Laksiri Karunaratne lit a candle and writes,
    I wish to convey my Condolences to Phil and the family. I met Mrs. Patricia Darby in 2001, while working with Phil in the Everglades. She was a sweet lady who was very interested in Phil's research, and made an effort to inquire about interests/research of his students. This was done several times, over the years as Mr. & Mrs. Darby traveled to FL. She was the type of person who would remember details and was keen to find out how we as students were progressing academically. Therefore, it was no surprise that I received a card from the Darby's when I completed my undergraduate studies. I will always have fond memories of her and she will be truly missed.
    09/29/2020 09:47 pm
    Barbara Renz lit a candle and writes,
    To the Family of Pat Darby, I was so sorry to learn today, that my "special" friend, Pat, had passed away in September. I tried to call her and got a message that the number was no longer in service. The staff at Stonegates told me I should call a family member for information. I visited Pat several times and we talked on the phone occasionally. Please know that I regarded her as a very special friend. My condolences to the Darby family. She was so proud of all of you. With remembrance, BarbaraRenz
    10/13/2020 03:56 pm

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