Darcy Strickland
January 31, 1934 — January 18, 2024
Tupelo
Darcy died peacefully, surrounded by family at her home on Thursday, January 18, 2024, just 13 days before her 90th birthday. She was born January 31, 1934, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada to Elmer Robertson Puddington and Katherine Huntress Dyer.
Darcy had the grades to graduate as valedictorian of her high school but because of her tendency to stutter and afraid to give a speech, she relinquished to the salutatorian. She graduated from University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1954, majoring in History and Political Science.
Darcy met her husband, Norris Strickland, while he was stationed at the Presque Isle Air Force Base in Presque Isle, Maine. She maintained her Canadian citizenship after she was married, and they moved to the United States in 1955.
While raising a family of eight children, she was a teacher in Rothesay, New Brunswick, Canada; Presque Isle and Bangor, Maine; Niagara Falls, New York; and Red Bay, Alabama. She also worked at Golden Manufacturing in Golden, Mississippi. After her children were grown, she worked several years as a nanny for another family.
Darcy was very adventurous as she enjoyed sailing, white water rafting, snow skiing, water skiing, kayaking, camping, rappelling at Camp Cousins, zip lining in Costa Rica, and she loved to travel. Some of her favorite memories were of traveling throughout the US and Europe during her time as a nanny.
Darcy was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo and a member of The Order of the Daughters of the King, an Anglican lay religious order for women. Her church and her church family were an integral part of her life. Her faith in Jesus as her Lord and Savior comforted her and it is that faith that now comforts her family and friends.
Darcy once wrote “My biggest accomplishments ever are ‘my family’”. As evidenced by the numerous photos, photo albums, scrapbooks, and personalized quilts that she recently assisted in designing and putting together with family and friends, it is indeed a testament that her family was especially important to her, both her descendants and ancestors. She wrote “My father is Canadian (descended from United Empire Loyalists – the Tories of the American Revolution) and my mother is American (descended from the Mayflower). One of her ancestors was Francis Cooke (1583 – 1663), who came from the Netherlands to America on the Mayflower in 1620. He was a founding member of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and a signer of the Mayflower Compact.
Right to the very end, Darcy could name all her grand and great-grandchildren in order of their birth.
Darcy is survived by her children, William Strickland of Tupelo, Mississippi, Catherine (Kenny) Carter of Hamilton, Alabama, Mary (Tim) Boyle of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Margaret (Wayne) VanLandingham of New Albany, Mississippi, Barbara Thorn of Hamilton, Alabama, Susan Strickland, spouse of deceased son Robert, Red Bay, Alabama, Douglas (Whitney) Strickland of Mantachie, Mississippi, and Deborah (John) Orrick of Tupelo, Mississippi; twenty-three grandchildren, AnnMarie Walker, Rebecca Boeding, Katherine Pharr, Billy Strickland, Robin Mears, Richard Maggerise, Robert Boyle, Andrew Boyle, Colin Boyle, David VanLandingham, Elizabeth VanLandingham, Brittany Durham, Briana Thorn, Elaina Strickland, Duncan Strickland, Kelly Clemmons, Sophia Strickland, Ronald Strickland, Dathan Strickland, Austin Strickland, James Strickland, Josephine Orrick, and John Thomas Orrick; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, Hannah, Samantha, Hailey, Sarah, Anthony “A. J. “, Landen, William, Brian, Lilith Darcy, Alexander, Bradley, Connor, RyLee, Easton, Camden, Owen, Cooper, Daniel, Braydon, AnnaLiyah, Jordyn, Amren, Caleb, Athena, Jase, Scarlett, and Nova; and her sisters, Emily VanZegeren of Ottawa, Canada, and Ann (James) Wechsler of Seattle, Washington.
Darcy was predeceased by her parents; brother, Elmer R Puddington, Jr.; husband, Norris; infant son, Leonard; son, Robert; and great granddaughter, Marceline.
Celebration of Life and Visitation will be from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, in the Parish Hall at All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo and the Burial of the Dead at 3:00 p.m. in the Church. Officiating will be The Rev. Phillip Parker, The Rev. Becca Walton, and The Rev. Dr. Billy Walton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Saints Brew, c/o All Saints Episcopal Church, 608 W. Jefferson Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.
