Sara J. Darling

Sara “Sally” J (Girard) Darling, 80, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Concord Hospital. Born on October 22, 1943 in Claremont, NH, she was the daughter of the late Herman and Margaret (Sanborn) Girard.

Sally grew up in Claremont, NH and graduated high school from Saint Mary’s High School, Class of 1961 in Claremont. She moved to Concord and graduated from NH State Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1964, and continued her entire Nursing Career at the NH State Hospital. She retired in 2004 and continued doing per diem until October 2006. She often spoke of the love she had for her patients and was a strong supporter of the need to care for those with any type of mental illness.

Besides her parents, Sally was predeceased by her loving husband, Richard E Darling, after 25 years of marriage; her 2 brothers, David Girard and Thomas Girard; and her 2 step-sons, Richard A. Darling and Paul W. Darling.

Sally is survived by her 3 sisters; Susan Carril and her husband Daniel of Nashua, Carol Girard and Joanna Girard of Claremont; and her sister-in-law Dawn Girard Greenwood of the UK; her step-daughter Paula (Darling) Russell and her husband Stephen of Penacook; 6 Grandchildren: Joslyn Darling of Penacook, Michael Bailey and his wife Jennifer of Tilton, April Bailey of Penacook, Dylan Greene, Whitney Darling and her partner Brendon Allen III of Epsom, and Ceagin Darling of Enfield; 10 Great-Grandchildren: Alexis (Darling) Bennett and husband Matt, Austin Kenney, Devin Bailey, Dylan Bailey, Wyatt Turner, Kaitlyn Bailey, Owen Greene, Madilyn Greene, Brynn Allen and Brendon Allen IV; and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren: Huckson Bennett and Oaklynn Bennett; many nieces and nephews; and special friends.

A special thank you to Dr. Nichole Mesick, Amy Tremblay (Palliative Care) and the staff of the Respiratory Care Unit of Concord Hospital for their compassion and care of Sally, as well as the compassion and support shown to her family. Another special thank you to the loving staff at Presidential Oaks Nursing Home for their compassion and care of Sally over the last 3 years..

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 17th from 4-6 PM at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main St Concord, NH. A funeral Mass will be held at Christ the King Parish, 72 South Main St Concord, NH at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 18th followed by a graveside service at Blossom Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sally’s memory to Christ the King Parish Food Pantry or Presidential Oaks Nursing Home.