Resident of Santa Cruz

On the night of Tuesday, April 8th after eating all her dinner Karen Ann Darling passed away peacefully to rejoin her true love Darrell Darling and her sons Matthew and Adam.

Karen was born on January 25, 1940 at Moline, Illinois Public Hospital to Lester & Marie Zimmerman. Karen graduated from Rock Island High School in 1958. She married Darrell Darling that summer and they began serving churches together. Karen and Darrell moved 12 times in 25 years and started 3 new churches. She had 3 children and also welcomed a foster son who joined their family in New Haven when he was 16. Karen did not drive until she was 40, but rode her bike to work every day. She went back to school when she turned 40 and graduated from Cabrillo College nursing school in 1983.

Traveling was #1 on Karen’s bucket list so Darrell made sure that happened. They visited all 50 states and over 30 countries. Some of the highlights of her adventures include white water rafting through the Grand Canyon, walking across the Mississippi River, and singing “My Land” with Hillary Clinton at the Methodist church in Santa Cruz in 1996. Karen and Darrell started aBed &Breakfast in 1983 and ran it for 35 years, "The Darling House."

Karen was an active member of the democratic political party and a big supporter of women’s rights. A strong believer in empowering people who had historically been unheard or ignored, Karen held high standards for local and federal government. Setting the example for other women around her, Karen would write letters to the government, calling attention to their shortcomings always searching for and suggesting ways to improve life for other people. Karen did this naturally. The impact that her care and love had on those around her will continue to make a difference. That “Girl Power” will still move through the ones that held her close. Karen is survived by her eldest child, Denise Darling, and her only grandchild, Kylie Wyldbore.

Preceding her death were her 2 sons, Matthew Eugene in 1986 and Adam Noel in 1996, as well as her forever husband and partner, Darrell Darling in 2022, and her older sister, Nadine who predeceased her in 2013.

A Funeral Service for Karen will take place Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 1pm at the UM- CSC, 250 California Street in Santa Cruz, California.

Please bring a flower from your garden or a tree bud to help create a communal flower arrangement at the service. Donations in Karen’s honor can be given locally to RCNV or Planned Parenthood.