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Ardelle Darling Obituary
84, of Weekapaug, RI and Clearwater, FL, died Wednesday December 4, 2024 at the Avalon Health Center in Mystic, CT.
She was born in Hartford, CT, daughter of the late Wilson Lee Fenn Jr. and Virginia Fenn.
She was a graduate of the Emma Willard School, Class of 1958, and Pine Manor College, Class of 1960, where she also served as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Her life-long passions included family, friends, music, animals, gardening, travel, golf, reading, and games of many kinds. She was an accomplished piano player and teacher and a business woman. In the 1970s, she founded and ran the the Hopmeadow Boarding Kennel for dogs and cats in Simsbury, CT with her late brother, Wilson L. Fenn III. She also worked in fashion and retail.
She was a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and served as a Regent of the Clearwater, FL Chapter. She was also an ardent supporter of many charities and arts-oriented organizations, including the Farmington Valley Arts Center (Board of Directors), Theatre by the Sea, Chorus of Westerly, Colonial Theatre, Salt Marsh Opera, United Theatre, Simsbury Light Opera, the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation, Young Men's Christian Association of the Suncoast, Westerly Hospital Foundation, South County Health Foundation, Alzheimer's Foundation, Williams School, Altamont School, Renbrook School, Deerfield Academy, Pomfret School, and Westminster School. She was also a member of the Hartford Golf Club, Misquamicut Club, Weekapaug Golf Club, Weekapaug Yacht Club, Belleair Country Club and Clearwater Yacht Club, as well as a member of the parish of the Chapel by the Sea Clearwater, FL and the Weekapaug Chapel.
Ardelle is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Lee and Dan Kauper of Birmingham, AL; two sons and daughters-in-law, Rob and Lorilee Darling III of Westerly, RI; and Terry and Elizabeth Darling of Greenwich, CT; a sister, Penny Fenn Snow of Shelburne, VT and Nantucket, MA; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
A celebration of life will be held in June 2025 in Weekapaug, RI on a date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Theatre in Westerly, RI. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, Westerly, RI is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit
www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Ardelle Darling
4 Entries
Love Earl n Lisa Thomas
December 15, 2024
To The Family Of Ardelle, I did not have the pleasure of knowing Ardelle but my daughter Ashley shared many wonderful stories with me that I felt like I knew her. What an absolutely beautiful lady ! May she be at peace ! I am so sorry for your loss !
Janice Brown
December 14, 2024
The Clearwater Chapter of DAR was so very sorry to hear about the passing of their past Regent Ardelle. She was so loved and respected.
Condolences to her family and friends may Ardelle Rest In Peace.
Carla Zerio
December 7, 2024
I was only with Ardelle for a couple of months, and in that short time absolutely fell in love with her! I could always count on her for a hug and a loving word. She loved to laugh and I enjoyed making her laugh. She loved good music and was the happiest listening, singing and dancing to it. I looked forward to walking in and seeing her beautiful smile that lit up the room. My heart goes out to the family, including Cocoa and Winston, who loved seeing her every night! May she live on in your memories and your heart, she will be missed!
Thomas R. Holt
December 7, 2024
Ardelle and her older sister, Penny would babysit for me my two brothers, Rich & Doug and my sister Nan. Ardelle & Penny were our older cousins. I cherish those warm childhood memories from long ago. I will miss my cousin Ardelle...Tom Holt
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Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly59 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891
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