Mary Ann Darling, 96½, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on February 24, 2026, following a stroke in January.

Born on July 26, 1929, in Amsterdam, New York, to George and Florence Jacobs, Mary Ann grew up with a true zest for life. She was an avid knitter, crocheter, and needlepoint enthusiast who also loved to travel—visiting every U.S. state except Hawaii. Her spunk, passion, fierce independence, and unmistakable determination earned her the affectionate nickname “Spitfire.”

Mary Ann and Robert "Bob" Darling were married on June 18, 1967, at Sacred Heart Church in Tribes Hill, New York. After many years living in Fort Johnson, they moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2012 to be near their son, Ed and his family. They later made their home in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2019, closer to their daughter Cheryl and her family.

In 1952, Mary Ann along with her friend, Fay, embarked on a bold adventure, traveling across the United States by bus from New York to Washington State. They continued by ferry to Alaska, where Mary Ann lived and worked for a year.

Mary Ann was happiest surrounded by people and always ready for a new adventure. Her husband, Bob, often said, “There were no strangers to Mary Ann, only people she hadn’t met yet.” Like “Norm” from the television show Cheers, she was a familiar and beloved presence everywhere she went. A lifelong blood donor and dedicated volunteer, she gave generously of her time to many organizations throughout her life.

Throughout her life, Mary Ann held a variety of jobs. Before her marriage, she worked for New York Telephone Company in Amsterdam, New York; Alaska Indian Affairs in Sitka, Alaska; and General Electric in Schenectady, New York. After her children were in school, she worked part-time in several roles, including Treasurer of Fort Johnson and Deputy Tax Collector and Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Amsterdam.

She was a former member of Sacred Heart Church and the Rosary Society in Tribes Hill, New York; American Legion Post 701 Auxiliary; P.A.V. Auxiliary Office for the Aging; and Inman Seniors in Amsterdam, New York. She also belonged to St. John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Sandbridge, Virginia. At the time of her death, she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Mary Ann is survived by her son, Edward (Aimee) Darling of Portsmouth, Virginia; her daughter, Cheryl (Patrick) McNeil of Raleigh, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Meagan (Michael) Gonyar of Charlottesville, Virginia; Alesha Darling of Yorktown, Virginia; Kiara (Mark) Lassiter of Peyton, Colorado; and Duncan McNeil of Chesapeake, Virginia; and her great-grandson, Arthur Gonyar of Charlottesville, Virginia. She is also survived by her brother, George (Mary Lou) Jacobs of Gloversville, New York, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Darling; her parents, Florence and George Jacobs; and her sister, Joan (Roland) Bryant.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her warmth, quick wit, generous spirit, and unwavering independence. She leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and a life fully and fearlessly lived.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 8, at 3:00 p.m. at Capital Oaks Retirement Resort, where Mary Ann was residing at the time of her death. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 11, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Raleigh. A livestream of the funeral liturgy will be available at:
https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-liturgy-for-mary-ann-darling-ikncq2ell5grqbwsqrt8

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Saving Grace Animals for Adoption in Wake Forest, North Carolina (https://savinggracenc.org/give/), or to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Sandbridge, Virginia, part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Transitions Life Care and Right at Home for their compassionate care and support during MaryAnn's final days.