Geraldine Darling

Sep 08, 2016

New Richmond, Wisconsin

Geraldine Elaine “Jerry” (McCarthy) Darling, age 91 of Brandon, Florida, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at home surrounded by her loving family. Survived by her husband of 64 years, Jack Darling; her two sons, John Darling and life partner Debbie McCormick, and Jim (Cathy) Darling; her grandchildren, Leslie (Cory) Voss, Jenna Darling, Ian Darling, Andrew Darling, and Steven (Lauren) Keys; her nieces and nephews, Erin (Scott) Jones, Mike (Tracy) Cullen, Tim (Rita) McCarthy, Mike (Sue) McCarthy, Kathy (John) Leblanc, Molly Kerr, Shawn (Mike) Rosenberger, Jim (Linden) Darling, and Tom (Ingrid) Darling; and sister-in-law Margie Darling. Jerry was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Alma McCarthy; sister and brother-in-law Lucille (Hugh) Cullen; brother and sister-in-law LCDR Charles (Joyce Palmer) McCarthy, Ret. USNR; grandson Matthew Emanuel Darling; daughter-in-law Terri Lee Butchart Darling; and brother-in-law James Darling, Sr. Jerry was born on January 19, 1925 to Jeremiah “Jay” and Alma (Harvieux) McCarthy in New Richmond, Wisconsin. After graduating from New Richmond High School in 1942, she began her training to become a children’s nurse and worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. In December of 1950, she enlisted in the United States Navy to continue her nursing career and was stationed in Seattle, Washington, where she met her husband Lt. Col. John E. “Jack” Darling, Ret. U.S. Army.

They were married on January 18, 1952 at Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle, Washington and soon afterwards, she received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy and the next 21 years as a military wife began. Their overseas tours included Germany, where they adopted the loves of her life, John and Jim; Okinawa, Japan; and Caracas, Venezuela. Stateside bases included Indian Town Gap, Pennsylvania, New Richmond, Wisconsin (when Jack was in Vietnam), and Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. After Jack retired in 1973, the family moved back to New Richmond, where Jerry enjoyed bowling, golfing, watching the Green Bay Packers, and playing euchre at the Shamrock. In 1984, Jack was hired to manage a condominium complex in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she lived out the rest of her beautiful life. Jerry will be deeply missed but never forgotten, as she touched so many lives with her gentle kindness and laughter, and her proud Irish heritage.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 16, 2016, from 5 to 8 p.m. at CullenCrea Funeral Home, 307 S. Arch Ave., New Richmond, Wis. and also one hour prior to Mass at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, New Richmond, Wis. Interment with Military honors will be at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery.