Joan Darlington

After over 100 years of balancing on this ball we call earth, Joan Thomas Darlington, mother of Richard, John, Mary, Joan, Lucy, Phoebe, Hugh, Christopher, Anne, Peter and Bill, has ascended from this realm, headed, we hope, for greener pastures where her sense of humor, her creative spirit, and her huge heart will have free reign.

Born July 20, 1925, to John and Miriam Thomas in St. Louis, MO. Joan Thomas graduated from the School of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Shortly thereafter she was introduced to a fighter pilot, Richard Darlington, who upon returning from the war courted her and convinced her to move east to live near his family.

She arrived in West Chester, PA knowing no one but her husband. Undaunted, she tilled the soil of relationships and grew to be an integral part of what became her home in Berwyn, PA. Through her daily activities Joan demonstrated the value of generosity, resilience, humor and a deep respect for nature and for all things beautiful. Her love of poetry was legend. Her foray into yoga, meditation, and mini skirts in her 40’s, was a bit of a surprise to her husband but her kids loved it. In her 50’s she dove into the spirit of Mary Kay and became part of a community created by a woman for women seeking independence and agency outside of the traditional roles to which they had been confined. She also attended Immaculata college during this time where she had the time of her life pursuing her study of literature and writing.

Joan had a superpower felt by anyone who came within her orbit and that was her capacity to make each and every person believe that they were the most special person in the world.

Joan’s pilot died in 1998. She re-married Sam Cheney in 2000 and moved to Rockport, MA until his death in 2017. She returned home to Pennsylvania and was lovingly tended by her son Peter and his wife Eileen, for 5 years, in their home, until her physical and mental acumen required 24-hour care, thus she came to reside at Pine View in Broomall, where they gave her wonderful care up until the very end.

Joan was predeceased by her children, John, Mary and Christopher. She is survived by Richard Darlington, Joan Klothe, Lucy Darlington, Phoebe Darlington, Hugh Darlington, Anne Martin, Peter Darlington, and Billy Darlington and 16 grandchildren.

Services: Joan’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Monica’s Catholic Church of Berwyn on Friday, May 29th at 11:00 A.M. Family & Friends may visit in the church prior to mass from 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. St. Monica’s address: 63 Main Ave, Berwyn, PA 19312

Burial at St. Agnes Cemetery will be on a separate day.

In lieu of flowers, pass a piece of love onto someone in need.

Arrangements: Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home
www.haganfuneralhome.com