   What can I say? I have known Bonnie Jean and the rest of the Darby clan since 1958--a very, very long time! There are so many memories I cannot even begin to sort them out. 
   Bonnie was my mom's best friend. It was Agnes and Bonnie all the way. They went to church together, grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, long walks to Brookside, coffee/tea/beer conversations at least once a day, porch sitting, Friday Coffee Club with their beloved friends and so much more. They meant the world to each other!
   Then there was the Bonnie/Charlie and Agnes/Val friendship, So many good times! They laughed together, cried together, raised their kids together. There are too few of these kind of friendships anymore.
   Last of all, there was my friendship with Bonnie. Of course, in the beginning, she was Mrs. Darby--my friends' mom. She watched over all of us like mothers did in those days. I grew up, moved away and always saw her when I came home to visit Mom and Daddy. When my dad died and I lived in LA, who picked me up at the airport-- Bonnie and Billy. Then finally I was back on 54th Street and got to know a new side of Bonnie as an adult. She saw me through my mother's death and became my dear friend.  We would laugh, visit, and commiserate about the world, family and neighbors. What fun we had!
   I still call the 54th Street house "The Darby House."  I don't care who lives there. It will always be that to me and the Waers family.
   I will always miss and remember Bonnie, but I am comforted that she, Charlie, David, Michael, Val and Agnes are together again. Shenanigans are afoot!
   I send my prayers and love to all the Darby kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Bonnie Jean was a keeper!

Joanne



 

What a life well lived!  Thank you grandma for being the rock of our family for almost a full century.  Frisbee Tournaments, Christmas mornings and random Sunday’s on your front porch will forever be etched in my mind.  Rest well knowing that you not only made your mark on the world while living, but that your legacy will continue for generations to come.  I love you- hug Dave, Grandpa, Uncle Mike and all the others for me!

My memories of Bonnie span more years than I can count but the collective feeling that comes to me as I gather these memories together comes down to one word .....Family. 
Bonnie was the heart of the Darby family and if you were blessed to be in the fold... you were part of the family too. She loved you, teased you, protected you , encouraged you and she always had time for you... no matter what she may have been in the middle of...she stopped and you had all of Bonnie ..heart and soul.
Bonnie welcomed my sons and I every Christmas Eve for many years in a traditional visit that we will always treasure . .. A very busy time at the Darby house..but Bonnie always seemed to have all the time in the world ...making us feel like we were the best part of her day .
My friendship with the Darby family will always be something I cherish and Bonnie will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ll be forever thankful to my dear friend Dave Darby for sharing his extraordinary family with me.  This gift has lasted a lifetime .  Godspeed dear Bonnie ,   Tom Mullane  

Grandma Darby was the best! To raise 6 wonderful children is a testament to her love, determination, and faith. I know it couldn’t have been easy to raise those 6 kids (especially those 6 😀) but she found a way to help them become great men and women who are devoted family men and women. Grandma taught her children the importance of family, faith, and friendship—three things that guided her and her family through the good times and bad times. We know that you are where you are meant to be—with the Lord and with Grandpa. I’m sure you’re still preaching family and faith and friendship to Dave and Mike too. Please say hello to them all for us and give them a hug. Until we meet again, keep smiling and keep holding your family tight on your arms and in your heart. We love you! 

Matt 

Grandma (Bonnie),
Your dedication to and  love for family and friends  is an inspiration.  You set a standard in our family...a standard of expressing our love  on a daily basis. “I love you”s, hugs and kisses are not reserved for special occasions. They are the norm when greeting and leaving loved ones. This is a gift I took for granted growing up. Not every family does this! I am blessed to have grown up in a family that love has always been expressed with abundance. And I strive to pass this along to my children...through every embrace and every kiss. 
Love,
Bridget 

When You Hug Your Mom...
When an adult child hugs their mom, it’s so much more to her.
It opens up a memory box to times of yesteryear. It takes her back to your childhood, when you sat upon her lap, when she’d settle you after the scariest dream or put you down for a nap. If she holds you a little tighter, she’s keeping those days alive, remembering how she hugged you when you were only four or five. So when you hug your mother, don’t be quick to break her embrace.  Let her hold you a little longer and relive those days she’ll never replace. 

A note to Bonnie Jean:
Grandma, I treasure the memories I have with you. From the time you babysat us when my folks were in Hawaii , to your unique ideas for the use of a doorstop and a million more in between. I loved sitting on your big front porch off 54th and just spending time with family. Your love is so powerful that it doesn't end in death, but reaches us all and will until we are reunited in heaven. I can't wait to hear your laugh and give you a hug. I want you to know that I have the old cookie jar from your kitchen and I promise to spoil Jack with treats from it, and for him to know of the wonderful woman it came from. Miss you and love you always.

I was very fortunate to grow up in Visitation parish in the 50’s and 60’s.  It was a time like no other.  It’s where I met my best friends and their families.  One of these was Bob Darby and the Darby family.  Bonnie & Charlie were another set of parents to me and all the guys that we hung around with.  If we got out of line, Bonnie would pull us back in….she was not afraid to discipline any of us.  Dynamite comes in small packages….we’ve all heard that line!  Well – that was Bonnie (Mrs. Darby back then!!)  She was always inviting to us – always made us feel welcome – and I rarely recall not seeing a smile on her face (except when Bob was getting in trouble!).  She and all the Darby Clan were very instrumental in my upbringing – something I will always be grateful for.  The guys in the hood all feel the same….she was a great parent to all of us.  We miss you Bonnie…..Rest in Eternal Peace.

Darby Irish Prayer 

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And when that time comes,
That the good Lord calls you home, 
May you be in Heaven...
A half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead. 

Your Loving Children,
Bob, Sue, Bill & Liz

My wonderful wife looked at me at some point this evening while I was make her dinner (my turn) and asked me – why are you crying.  It was hard to explain.  Mrs. Darby I said. Enough said and she left me alone. 

I really did grow up kind of across the tracks (brush creek) from the kids I went to school with.  You wondered off much more than a block or so away from my house by yourself without a local and you would probably get you ass kicked.  I really didn’t understand the whole Visitation neiborhood thing early on – though my Dad was doctor to many of the moms and had delivered a whole bunch of the kids there.

Then I ended up somehow one night in the Darby house on the Visitation side of things and I could see after a bit they where getting ready to have dinner and tried to excuse myself.

This wonderful beautiful little person came up to me and said, “well you need something to eat before you make the trek home”.  Then she looked at me like – you don’t do what I say, I will tear the heart out of your chest and feed it for desert. 

Well guess what, I had my first dinner at the Darby’s followed by more and many, many nights through the years at the Darby kitchen table  playing poker.

I kind of had a second Mom across the creek.  I don’t care what kind of crazy stuff was happening around the Darby household, which was a constant like mine, she always found time to drag me away from everything for a few minutes to inquire about our family and what I was up to with so sincere interest and caring. 

Great lady.

You guys need anything through this  – you just let me know. 

Slick

Dear Bob, Diane and family,

I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother Bonnie. She lived a long and wonderful life and had the privilege of having a big and beautiful family. I’m sure that’s what kept her going so long!
I remember her when we were at Visitation and I would  come over to hang out with you at your house. She was always so kind to me. She was definitely the BOSS of the “Darby Clan”. I was always amazed at how she kept everyone in line because your household was so full of kids and active.
I know she will be missed by you and your family and I want you to know that I will keep Wonderful Bonnie and the whole Darby family in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless Bonnie and may she Rest In Peace.
Don Richards

I will always remember the many 4th of July's spent on East 54th Street for the Annual Frisbee Tournament.  It was never dull and Bonnie was always there with her infectious smile, her warm heart and her amazing patience with the swarm of people that would take over the entire house and yard for the days festivities.  She would also make sure I got something special to eat whenever I came by to drop off prescriptions for she or Charlie and I think I may have even gone by when I didn't have a prescription for her just to get that something special to eat.  God bless you Bonnie for the love and caring that you bestowed upon all your children.  Even those of us who really were not related by blood.   

Bob, Bill, Sue and Elizabeth
My sincere thoughts and prayers with you on your mother’s passing.  I celebrate the wonderful life she enjoyed and the direction she provided us growing up.  I will never forget the night Bob stayed over at my house and we just got in bed after saying our prayers.  The next sound we heard was the slamming of a car door and a very strong voice shouting, “Bob Darby are you in there”?  You will have to ask Bob the rest of the story.  Bonnie was a strong, loving and warm woman who helped us get to where we are today and not in reform school.  Love to the Darby family and thank you for sharing your mom with me, with all of us. ❤️🙏
Jim

I felt very lucky to have known  Bonnie and her kids and feel the tribute Bob payed to her also encompassed the entire Darby Clan and definitely put  a smile on her face. She did a magnificent job raising not only her children; but between Charlie and her instilling in them the right virtues; so they (the Children) could pass it on to their grandchildren!

Bob and Dianne, 
I didn't know your Mom, but she sounds like a wonderful and strong lady, another neighborhood mother hen.  
I'm sorry she has passed away, but you took good care of her and helped her live a long, rich life.  
Take care of each other,
Peace and love,
Cathy Bartholome 

Aunt Pat was such a beautiful person inside and out!  So many great memories visiting her and Uncle Charles in Kansas City as a young girl.   Thinking of all the family!  My thoughts and prayers are with each of you!  Love, Kathy

Bonnie was truly a second mom to me. I spent most afternoons at her house after school and always felt welcomed and at home there. 
Bonnie was hilarious and I always enjoyed talking to her and hanging with the Darby clan. I love their close knit family. 
Bonnie lived a long, fulfilled and blessed life.

Bonnie Jean was the cutest, sweetest, and most welcoming woman!!! I was blessed to tag along with Bonnie, Charlie and Mary Beth to Royal games, Swenson Ice cream Parlor and more. I always felt like I was welcome and loved her sweetness!!!! She was always game to visit with others which almost seems like a lost art these days. I have so many fond memories of her!!!!! God bless Bonnie Jean!!!!!!! 

Bonnie was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met.   I enjoyed the family get togethers with so much laughter.   Someone made the comment that she raised some fine children and I agree.  Sending blessings of comfort and peace to you all 


There’s never been a day in my 63 plus years of life when it was unusual to see little Bonnie Darby at any point.  I’ve watched  her reach up and march her boys up and down the street by one ear, and I’ve seen her lovingly share her time with her baby girl. She faced her tragedies with strength and humbleness, knowing that all that ear pulling gave the world some wonderful young ‘Men of God’... After practically a century of being surrounded by knuckleheads, I hope going to Heaven is the worst thing that ever happens to her.  She’s been a great piece of my life’s puzzle.  I know my own Mom thought the world of her.

How I loved Charlie and Bonnie!  I secretly wished they would adopt me because I figured adding one more couldn't possibly be noticeable.  After Charlie's death I'd have lunch with Bonnie and our friend Dorothy (at Coach's, of course!) or call Bonnie just to chat.  She was always so upbeat and gracious.
First, thank you Darby kids for taking good care of your mom. Second, I'm so sorry you've lost her and I wish you peace.  How fortunate you were to have such a wonderful lady as a mother.

OBITUARY

Bonnie Jean Darby

April 10, 1923 – March 25, 2021

McGilley State Line Chapel

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