Gladys Tennant Darrington

DECLO – Gladys Tennant Darrington, age 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 1, 2012, at her daughter’s home in Chubbuck, Idaho.

Gladys was born on Aug. 14, 1917, in Aberdeen, Idaho, the daughter of Joseph McCauslin and Appie Spilsbury Harmon Tennant. She received her education in Aberdeen and Declo, and graduated from Declo High School. She married J. Harry Darrington on Feb. 20, 1942, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and they made their home in Declo where they raised their eight children.

She was an active and dedicated member of the LDS Church and served faithfully in various callings throughout her life. She and Harry served as missionaries in the Arizona Tempe Mission from 1981-1983. In 1984, they were called to work in the Boise LDS Temple and enjoyed their longtime service together.

Gladys was privileged to be a stay-at-home mom. However, as her children became more independent, she worked as a cook at the Senior Citizen Center in Burley from 1973-1981. She enjoyed drawing, reading, quilting, knitting, family history, traveling, cooking, sewing and singing. However, most important to her was her family. In 1992, Gladys and Harry celebrated 50 years together with their family. The next time the family was all together was for Harry’s funeral in 1993. Gladys remained widowed for nearly 19 years.

She is survived by her children, Anne (Marcel) Whiting of Sugarland, Texas, John (Susan) Darrington of Richland, Washington, Jean (Richard) Tolman of Chubbuck, Idaho, Gary (Connie) Darrington of Ammon, Idaho, Steven (Pam) Darrington of Declo, Idaho, Philip (Karen) Darrington of Boise, Idaho, Marie (Mike) Allred of Thayne, Wyoming, and Carol (Mike) Webb of Heyburn, Idaho; 45 grandchildren; 89 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Gallacher of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Iris (Francis) Barton of Monticello, Utah; and two sisters-in-law, Ruth B. Tennant of Utah, and Louise R. Tennant of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In addition to her husband, Harry, she was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings; one grandchild; and a great-grandchild.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at the Declo LDS Stake Center, 213 W. Main St., with Bishop Kelly A. Anthon officiating. Burial will follow in the Declo Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, July 6, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday at the church.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Encompass Home Health and Hospice (especially to Cree and Farah) for the outstanding care given to our mother.