Sally Darner Nicholas

Sally Darner Nicholas passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 18, 2025 at the age of 89. With very fond memories of being raised in Virginia, where she also spent most of her adult life, she recounted stories of being nurtured as a tomboy by her parents, Sara Kane Darner and Francis William "Bill" Darner. She spent hours outdoors, often accompanied by her father, engaged in a variety of sports and professed a special love of horseback riding. When not outside she relished square dancing, which she participated in through much of her adult life. An inquisitive child, she told of being young, hearing that cats had 9 lives, and running an experiment to see if it were true-repeatedly dropping her sister's cat from the sun porch. The cat survived and her sister was horrified! Acknowledging she was an annoying little sister, she often expressed gratitude for the special relationship with her sister, Josephine Darner "Phena," who lives in Rockville, Maryland. Her life was further enriched by her lifelong relationship with best friend Sallie Harper Vance.

Sally was previously married to Chet Whelden, and they had 4 children-Bill (Cari) Whelden, Steve Whelden (deceased), Linda (Gerry) Whelden Bapisteller, and Sally (Ken) Whelden McClure. She had 7 grandchildren-Shaun Whelden, Pat Whelden, Charlie Whelden, Abigail Whelden, Beca (Kacey) Pell Carpenter, Emily (Trevor) McClure Lindsay, & Katie (Jarrett) McClure Moon, and 4 great grandchildren-Eli Carpenter and Jamie, Addie & Estee Lindsay.

Sally was a graduate of The Putney School in Vermont. After which she attended William & Mary College (Class of 58). Sally spent her adult life using her love of numbers and her patriotism as a budget analyst for Naval Air Systems Command. She enjoyed her later years married to Ed Nicholas, who predeceased her. She was an avid lifelong learner and reader, actively pursuing her interest in her relationship with God and in world events until the day she passed. Her family is very grateful for the attentive care she received at The View Alexandria in the final years of her life.