Arlene Darling

In Remembrance of DARLING, Arlene

On October 5, 2005 Arlene T. Darling died while on a trip to London with her sister Madeline McDonald and their dear friend, Joan. Arlene was born in Boston Massachusetts on May 3, 1921 to Madeline and Arthur Topham. Arlene was the first girl from her family and high school to attend college. She attended Hyannis College where she received her teaching credential. It was there she met her husband John G. Darling. When he was called back to service at the outbreak of World War II they married. Arlene waited for his return from overseas and worked at Bendix in Massachusetts. When John returned he earned his teaching credential at the University of Boston. They decided to move West and wound up first in Carson City, Nevada and then to Mount Shasta, California followed by a final move to the Sacramento area. Arlene and John had three girls, Dawn, Doriann and Deborah by this time. They finally "settled" in Carmichael and she lived in the same home for 50 years. Both Arlene and John were dedicated educators working in the San Juan Unified School District. Arlene started as a teacher at Dewey School, became a reading specialist and eventually became a principal at Dyer Kelly and then Edison School. Arlene was the first woman allowed to become a principal in the San Juan District at the same time her husband was a principal in the District. She retired after 25 years of service in the San Juan School District and 35 years of work. Arlene was a member of several professional organizations over the years most recently Delta Kappa Gamma and AAUW. She valued her friends and work in AAUW promoting middle school girls' interest in science through the Tech Trek program, scholarships for women who were self supporting reentering college, and legal aide for women's causes. She left behind her three daughters, their husbands Ron, Randy & Jim, five grandchildren Tamara, Lora, Lindsay, Nicole & Dustin and two great grandchildren Nathaniel and Shae who all continue to miss her very much. She was a woman who loved life and was dedicated to her family, her friends and her students. Arlene remained active and involved in her retirement years. She touched the lives of many people and she continues to live on in the memories of her family and friends. Thank you for being our Mom.