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Frances Darger Obituary
November 30, 1924 ~
July 30, 2024
Salt Lake City, UT - Frances Johnson Darger, age 99, passed away July 30, 2024 of natural causes in Salt Lake City.
Frances was born Nov. 30, 1924 in Salt Lake, the third of five daughters born to Edna Evans and Frank Arthur Johnson. She was named Frances Edna in honor of both parents. She attended grade school and junior high at the Wm. M. Stewart School on the U of U campus and went on to high school at East High. Her college years were spent at the University of Utah where she became a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was active in student affairs. She was a member of Spurs, Trotters, Cwean and Beta Delta Mu. She edited the humor magazine (the Unique) and was elected to Mortar Board. Frances and her four sisters, Afton, Peggy, Janice and Jewel, spent a year in Los Angeles during the war years 1944-45 trying to make their fame and fortune as a "swing quintet". When this did not come to fruition the girls returned home and Frances graduated from the U of U in 1946. Prior to this she had begun playing violin in the fledgling Utah Symphony the summer of 1942. She played in the Symphony until 2012 with the exception of the year spent in California. Following college she became the Society Editor of the Salt Lake Telegram.
On May 28,1948 Frances married Robert Williams Darger and they became parents of three children, Peggy, Amy and Bill. She continued as a freelance writer doing columns on home decoration under the by-line of Georgia Holmes (gorgeous homes) and playing with the Utah Symphony (with the heartfelt cooperation of hubby Bob). She played for 69 years in the Utah Symphony including tours in the United States and overseas. Frances also stayed active in the community as a past member and officer of the Junior League of Salt Lake, a member of Classics Club, the Utah Symphony Guild, Kappa Kappa Alumnae (a bridge group and "Kappa Club"), a neighborhood Study Club, the Monday Sewing Club, her favorite musical group (Squeak and Squawk), Kulture Klub, and a monthly meeting with grade school friends, the Darling Girls! ln 1999 the University of Utah Emeritus Alumni Club awarded Frances the Merit of Honor Award.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents and sisters. She is survived by her three children: Peggy (Richard) Sacher, Amy (George Stewart) Darger-Stewart and Bill Darger; 12 grandchildren: Rachel (Joe) Mariucci, Becky Woods, Jewel Darger-Sacher, Charles (Jessie) Stewart, Evan (Lucy) Stewart, JeanMarie Stewart, Michael (Alyssa) Stewart, and Bill's children: Hailey, Ben, Ivy, Gabe and Will; 15 great-grandchildren: Kate, Jack, Kayleigh, Ethan, Logan, Rhiannon, Eliza, Matthew, Aiden, Tate, Oliver, Frances, Ila, Henry, and Elizabeth, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and AFS Exchange daughter Maya (Tom) Meis. Thank you to Jim Thornton and the staff at The Ridge Foothill and Canyon Hospice.
Friends may call Friday, August 30, 6-8pm and Saturday, August 31, 9-9:50am. Funeral, 10am. All at Hilltop Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 589 East 18th Ave, Salt Lake City. Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89283472197
ln lieu of flowers, donations to the Utah Symphony would be appreciated: usuo.org/donate or 801-869-9200 (Development Office). And please take your mother out to lunch.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frances Darger
3 Entries
Marilyn Miller Smolka
September 5, 2024
Frances was an icon in Salt Lake! I remember her always as the blonde/white haired violinist in the Symphony, Mortar Board, and in many other organizations. She was a joy to be around, always positive, and was so engaged in so many things that it was never boring talking to her. I'm so glad our paths crossed.
Sue McMillin
August 26, 2024
Dear Darger Family, as the last member of the Darling Girls to carry the torch, your dear mama, grandma and great grandma represented well. I loved her and so did my sweet mom, Kay Salgado. Frances was so patient and dear with my mother as these two lovely women, friends from jr. high, began to age and mine lost her hearing and then began forgetting things. Frances was a force, strong and bold. She was full of energy and had a curious mind. She was present and capable. I remember many times when she´d drive up in her jazzy Ford Mustang for club at Mom´s and a bunch of Darling Girls in their late 80´s, all dressed to the nines, would spill out of that little sports car. This happened often when Frances would visit. She was always picking someone up. My mother and I would speak often of Frances and what a great matriarch she was to her growing family, always traveling together and enjoying each other. What a wonderful opportunity for you all. My mother respected her and revered her highly.
Frances attended my mother´s funeral in the middle of Covid. Like I said, brave and bold! She showed up in a colorful, classy pant suit, and brightened the room. She was quick to hug me, something no one was doing at that time and she said something to me I needed to hear desperately; something only she would know. She didn´t have to say what she did, but made it a point to look into my eyes and allow the message to sink in. I think about her words every day. The simple gift continues to lift and comfort me. I loved her! She inspired me. I respected her and was always so happy to see her. She was a woman of great accomplishment who had a heart of gold. I will still think of her everyday. I can only imagine the reunion in heaven. What a celebration!
I´m so grateful to have known Frances. She blessed my mom´s life as she did mine. My deepest condolences to you and your precious family. Sending much love and comfort your way.
Kim Plouzek
August 22, 2024
Peggy, My sincere condolences for the passing of your mother. May your fond memories of her bring peace to your soul.
Kim Plouzek, East High `67
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