Marian Marie Darden

Marian Marie Darden passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on May 28, 2019 surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Park Ridge, Illinois on February 2, 1922, the oldest daughter of Jean Minner and Charles Olin Mann. Marian graduated from Maine Township High School and attended the University of Michigan.

Though she was born Marion, she changed her name to Marian because Marion was a “boy’s name”! She didn’t want to be confused with the movie star, Marion Morrison, aka John Wayne.

Marian led an active and full life. In her teenage years, she loved to play tennis on the court her grandfather built and modeled for Marshall Fields, taking the train in to the big city of Chicago. She also enjoyed sewing, knitting and needlepoint. Several of her needle work creations decorated the family home.

In college, she joined Delta Gamma Sorority, making lots of friends and generally having a grand time. There she met her future husband, Arthur D. Darden. They wed on November 8, 1943, just prior to her husband’s service in World War II. She also served during the war, supporting the effort on the home front. Following her husband’s tours of duty, they moved to Virginia and started a family where their first two sons (Arthur in 1947, and Taylor in 1952) were born. In 1956, they moved to New Orleans, where her husband began a successful career as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer. The couple’s third son, Rob was born there in 1960.

She loved to travel and enjoyed touring Europe and the Far East with her husband and, after his passing, with her sister, Betty, and close friend, Dottie Smith. She also enjoyed traveling over the years with her sons from the battlefields of France to the mountains of Austria and from Wrigley Field to the White House.

She enjoyed the company of her many friends, often gathering to play bridge several times a week. Late afternoons were spent socializing with them over a cup of coffee or glass of Chardonnay.

Marian was a voracious reader, regularly consuming two or three books a week. Her tastes were varied: history, politics, best sellers and current events were her passion. If you were looking for a good read, all you had to do was consult with her as she always had several to recommend.

She was deeply devoted to her three boys and her daughters-in-law. She was blessed with four grandchildren and on April 3 of this year, she welcomed her first great-grandchild. She was known to all simply as “Ma”. As the family matriarch, Marian was a refined and gentile woman with an incredibly strong constitution. Her grace, charm, and witty sense of humor will be fondly remembered by her family, her friends, and all those who had the privilege to know her. Her welcome arms, advice, and encouragement likewise will never be forgotten, but will be genuinely missed.

Marian was devoted to the Lord and her church; her life was a living example of her deep faith. Most of all, she loved her family and instilled strong values in her three sons, traits that have served them well today.

Marian is survived by her sons, Arthur D. Darden, Jr. and wife Gina of Gretna, Louisiana; M. Taylor Darden of Metairie, Louisiana; Robert G. Darden and wife Sheri of Plano, Texas; her grandchildren, Brandon Darden and wife Courtney of New Orleans, Louisiana; Christopher Darden of Gretna, Louisiana; Andrew Darden of Dallas, Texas and Ashley Darden of Plano, Texas; her great granddaughter, Collins Marie Darden of New Orleans, Louisiana; her nieces Kelly Martin, Jan Lewis, and Lynn Momany; and her nephew, Keith Mann.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Arthur D. Darden, Sr.; her parents, Jean and Charles O. Mann, Sr.; her brother Billie who died before she was born; her sister Betty V. Glasser; her brother Charles O. Mann, Jr. (Chuck), who preceded her in death by one day; her niece, Christine Powell; and her daughter-in-law, Claudia Darden.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Passages Hospice and the loving caregivers who were with Marian every day for the last several years, especially Oniika Howard and Tamara Smith of LiveGood at Home Care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service at 11:00am on July 6, 2019 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 3643 Aurora Drive, New Orleans with a reception following from 12:00 – 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Marian Darden’s name to: St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 3643 Aurora Drive, New Orleans, LA 70131.

To sign and view the family guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.