In Remembrance Of
Mary Darling
Mary Evelyn Darling, 64, passed from this world on January 7, 2026 surrounded by her family.
Born March 31, 1961 in Kansas City, Kansas to Alfred “Bud” and Jo Anne Sedgwick. Mary dedicated her life to helping those around her. Her children remember her making their home a safe place for all the neighborhood friends they brought home.
Mary went on to get her GED later in life and continued to get her master’s degree in social work where she was able to touch the lives of many in the mental health and oncology fields. She never knew a stranger and helped everyone she met.
She loved her job and her family, including her work family. She dedicated most of her time finding the resources others needed to better their lives. The only thing she loved more than helping others was being a grandmother, especially a GiGi to “Lou”. Nothing made her prouder than to be a grandmother and great-grandmother. She became best friends with all her grandchildren at some point, but her last years were spent with her newest best buddy being her Lou.
Mary is survived by her two daughters, Callie and Kyle Wright, and Malissa and Kurt Sanders, her five grandchildren, Braelyn and Jack Bell, Abbigail “Abbi” Meyers, Koal “Bubbie” and Chelsey Sanders, Samantha Wright, and Avery Wright, and her great-granddaughter, Ameylia and grand-dog, William-Billiam “Willie-Dog”. Mary also leaves behind several siblings, Sharon and Mike Pearson, Debbie McFarland, Donnie Wayne Ivy, David and Donita Sedgwick, Warren “Keith” Sedgwick, Scott Sedgwick, and Neal and Christine Sedgwick.
Visitation and services will be held January 16 at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home in Smithville, Missouri. Visitation will be 1:00-2:00 with services at 2:00. Graveside services will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Excelsior Springs.
*Momma would want us to celebrate and not be sad during this time. Anyone that knew her, knew her love of bright colors, especially orange! Please wear colorful clothing for her. She would want to look down and see us in all the bright colors she loved.
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Service Details
Masonic Cemetery Excelsior Springs MO
1:00-2:00 pm Friday January 16th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home in Smithville
2:00 pm Friday January 16th at-Hixson-Klein Funeral Home in Smithville
Comments & condolences
4 comments
Rodney Cockerham
Oh Mary. All the talks we had when I would come see you, the advice you gave me, telling me all the things that I was doing wrong and everything that was going on in your world. I miss those talks. You are a great lady. You touched a lot of people’s lives and helped them when no one else would or could. I hope to see you again someday in Heaven. You deserve your spot up there. You can tell me what to do so I won’t get in trouble in God’s creation and it will seem like old times. Until we meet again friend. I love ya. RIP.
Debbie McFarland
I can’t believe you’re gone been sitting here thinking about all the stuff we did when we were younger.You were always the smart one trying to keep my mouth shut and keep me out of trouble !!!!!! I’m sure you’re up in heaven laughing about it right now ,man did we have some good times you will definitely be missed💔 until we met again dear sister love Debbie
Linda Jones
Callie and Malissa, I am sorry to hear of her passing. She was such a passionate and compassionate lady that enjoyed life, her family, and helping others. She did touch many lives, making things easier for them. Your family is in my prayers.
Linda Jones, previous supervisor at GVMH Director of Social Work
Jackie Cockrell
well cuz till we meet again save me a spot would you tell everybody that I love them and I miss them especially JC if you could put an extra little bug in his ear and let him know I miss him something terrible 😔 Mary never easy to say goodbye no matter how sick or how old one is I know you are in a safe safe place and with knowing that that makes me feel good puts my mind at ease I’m just going to hang on to all the memories that we grew up with boy did we get in some messes at times lol I’m surprised we wasn’t grounded for life 🤣 you was a good caring person and people that knew you won’t forget that I’m so sorry you had to struggle towards the end with certain things in your life but you have always try to do your best but you was one tough cookie you will be missed dearly love you very much cuz ❣️🫶❣️xxoo Jacko