NANCY DARLING

Nancy Caroline Darling, 77, passed away in Mt. View, CA, on Nov. 17, 2016. She was born in Auburn, to Mervalyn and Joe Darling on May 5, 1939.  
Joe moved the family to Falls City,  where he ran the Darling Transfer. Nancy graduated from Falls City High School in 1957 where she was best remembered as being called “Jake”. She  graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961, she was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. After graduation she worked at the Downey V. A. Hospital  in the  Chicago, area as a Recreational Therapist until she returned to school where she earned a Masters degree in Orientation and Mobility Therapy at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. MI.  Nancy’s career working with the disabled began in St. Augustine, FL preparing students that were blind to attend public schools.
 Here success in this field resulted in her being the first woman to be hired as a Mobility Therapist at the Blind Rehabilitation Center at the V.A. Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. where she spent her career teaching veterans that were blind.  Nancy received the Award for Outstanding Service to Veterans by the Veterans Administration Hospital at Palo Alto, CA.
 When Nancy retired she volunteered at the Ana Nueva CA. State Park where she was a docent and at the Mammal Rehabilitation Center helping rescued sea lions and seals.  Her kindness extended beyond giving her time but also  by her contributions to the Democratic National Party, the Marine Mammal Society, Monterey Bay Society, Yosemite National Park, her favorite place, and many others.
 She is survived by he sister’s Patricia (Ed) O’Grady, Deanna (Glen) Mellage, Vicki (Jim) McMurray, Gail (Ron) Sears,  Linda (Marlin)Boden and brothers Dale Darling and Larry (Faye) Darling.
She will be sadly missed by her family and friends who will be gathering at Monterey Bay CA. to celebrate her life on her birthday May, 5, 2017.