Irene Marie Darling, age 80, a nearly 60-year-resident of Almont, passed away on December 19, 2021. She was born November 29, 1941, the daughter of Alfred and Marie Jeanne (Duguay) Lessard in Montague, Massachusetts. Irene met and married her husband, David Darling, on February 23, 1963 at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, AZ. She was a receptionist at the Lane & Swayze medical office in Almont for many years and then later worked for Dr. Meek and Vanderest dental office. She and her late husband David also owned and operated the Midway Market. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Almont for many years. At church she started the Food Bank and also taught Sunday School.
Irene leaves her three children, Therese (Guy Hardley) Darling of Port Huron, LeeAnn (Bobby) Ferguson of Goshen, KY and Patrick Darling of Monterey, TN; grandchildren, Jenelle (Paul) Vanderdonck, Jessica (Adam) Hoffa, Ben Young, Bailee Ferguson, Connor Ferguson and Cody Darling; great-grandchildren, Leah Hoffa, Ellie Hoffa, Addie Hoffa, Mila Vanderdonck and Aubry Darling; and her sister, Lorraine Wigal.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David Darling; her parents; and by her sister, Adrina Chamberlin.
Memorial donations may be made to the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, P.O. Box 312087, Detroit, MI 48231.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022. The time is pending.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Muir Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, 2650 S. Main, Imlay City, MI 48444. Be sure to leave a fond memory on Irene’s memory page at www.muirfh.com.
