Luvia “Irene” Emerson Darling, daughter of Charles “Ralph” and Luvia Ardelle Emerson was born September 20, 1924, at home in Topsham VT. Irene passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 21, 2026, at the Grafton County Nursing Home, where she received excellent care.

She was the beloved wife of Delton Dwight Darling, whom she married on March 7, 1942. Irene was the loving mother of Gloria Darling, Ina Desorcy, Donna Pelletier, Linda Richardson, Virginia Shevlin, Marilyn Wysocki, and Malcolm Darling. She worked hard to make her home a safe refuge for her children and many others, including her niece, Luvia Callahan, who was always considered an eighth sibling. Irene’s home was a place of welcome and comfort for family, friends, and even occasional strangers, including the hobos who rode the railroad past her home. She offered warmth, kindness, food and shelter with a generous heart.

Though she did not graduate from high school as a young woman, Irene returned to earn her GED at age 52, the same year her youngest, Malcolm, graduated. Her determination and quiet strength were an example to those who loved her.

Irene was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on February 15, 1955. A momentous occasion in her life was traveling to Yankee Stadium in 1958 to attend a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a memory she treasured. Another special trip was to Kentucky, while in her 80s, to share her faith. She shared her love of the Bible with her children by way of illustrations and stories that brought it to life. She enjoyed teaching and preaching the good news she had learned from house to house. In later years, though confined to her own home, she continued her ministry by talking about her faith with any who came to visit.

Irene found joy in gardening, quilting, knitting, and crocheting. Through the years dozens of expectant mothers knew that a box at a baby shower would enclose a knitted sweater set made by loving hands. Irene created hundreds of handmade quilts—each one a lasting and unique reminder of her love, patience, and care. She was famous for her dinner rolls, her quick sense of humor, a voracious sweet tooth and an amazing ability for word games.

Her grandchildren remember her as a teacher of gardening and baking. They also remember her unique remedies for life’s calamities, such as an oatmeal bath for wasp stings or a hot match to remove leeches from swimming in the river near her home in South Ryegate, Vermont.

Irene was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Hellene Thompson, Marion Darling, Sophronia Gardner, Ralph Emerson, Charles Emerson, Henry Emerson, Paul Emerson and John Emerson. She was also predeceased by her husband Delton and her daughter Gloria, whom she took special care of for decades.

Irene is survived by her six youngest children. She is also survived by her grandchildren Roxanne Smynios, Debbie Berthiaume, Erika Andreoli, Robert Ricker, Emily Bean, Dwight Ricker, Nathaniel Ricker, Samuel Ricker, Juleah Dow, Janitta Richardson, JaimeLee Adams, Josiah Shevlin, Hannah Darling and Barak Darling. She is also survived by dozens of great and great-great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. She will be sincerely missed by many people too numerous to count.

Services will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 431 Rum Hill Road (Route 302), Bath, NH on Saturday August 29th at noon. Committal to follow at 1 PM at Pine Hurst Cemetery in South Ryegate, VT.