January 18, 2021

Sarah P. Darlington, 82, died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Linden Hall in Kennett Square. She and her late husband, David W. Darlington, enjoyed 56 years of marriage together. She is survived by her four children: her daughter, Debbie McAnally (Bill), and her three sons, Ken (Vicky), Jerry (Nancy), and Jeff (Angie). In addition, she is survived by 10 grandchildren: Sean (Devon), Scott, Patrick, Andrew, Alexander, Thomas, Alaina, Hunter, Sara, and Christopher and her sister Ruth (Jack) Anderson. Her sister Mary (Ray) McKay proceeded her in death.

Born on Oct. 26, 1938, in Pocopson, she was the daughter of the late George Merril Pratt and Esther Chambers Pratt. She grew up on the Pratt farm in Pocopson and as the family grew many fond memories were created with family picnics, shuffleboard, swimming, and running the produce stand along the roadside. Growing up, the Pratt and Darlington families spent a considerable amount of time together working the farms, having fun swimming in the pond, or sledding down what is now the Pocopson Elementary School hill. When asked where she met her husband, David, with quick wit she would reply “in the crib.” They were childhood friends but did not realize true love until David went to college at Penn State. They married after graduation. Sarah was a graduate of Unionville High School and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Chester State Teachers College in 1960. After graduation, she taught for a year at the New Garden Elementary School then she started a family and devoted her life to her family and the family farm.

Sarah worked hard to raise her four children. Through her actions, she instilled strong work ethics not only in her children but in the nieces, nephews, and young men that came to work on the farm. In addition to her role as a homemaker, she cooked breakfast and lunch for the workers, was in charge of the finances, and kept everyone in line. She worked side by side with David on the dairy farm which gave all four children the opportunity to attend college. She got up at 5 a.m. to help milk the cows and clean the stalls, ran the tractors to rake hay and to unload corn, dug out thistles on the hillside, sprayed the multi-floral roses along the fence rows, plus whatever else needed to be done on any given day.

Sarah had a quick wit and a lovely sense of humor. She enjoyed nature and spending time outdoors. Her love of nature sparked her interest in volunteering at the Brandywine River Museum as a critter maker. She was often seen wandering around the farm collecting the perfect natural ingredients for critter creation. Each Monday during critter season, she would meet with the volunteers at the Brandywine River Museum where she enjoyed the companionship. She was also a member of the Lesserton Garden Club and Birmingham Friends Meeting. Sarah joined the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in 1960 and enjoyed many years of comradery and more recently lunches out with her sorority sisters.

A memorial service at Birmingham Friends Meeting, 1245 S. Birmingham Road, West Chester, PA  19382 will be scheduled at a later date. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Friends Home at Kennett, 147 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 https://fhkennett.org/donate/

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181 www.DellaFH.com

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Sally Sanbern Gretsch Coulson, 81, of Garnet Valley, died Wednesday, Jan. 13. Born in Mineola, N.Y., Sally was the daughter of William C Gretsch and Louise Rile Gretsch. Sally is a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, survived by three children Kevin Hall and his wife Debi, David Hall and his wife Jennifer, Sandy Crawford and her husband David; 11 grandchildren and four bonus grandchildren William Hall, Emily Brown, and her husband Zach, Erica Bittner and her husband Kai, Andrew Hall, Nicholas Hall, Jessica Hall, Derek Hall, Timothy Crawford and his wife Carla, Grace Crawford and her husband Tucker Rogers, Matthew Crawford, Benjamin Crawford, great-granddaughter Charlotte Crawford. Sally is predeceased by her husband James Coulson. Sally is also survived by her brother William Gretsch and her three nieces Jane Smith, Bonnie Holt, Judy Gretsch, and their families.

Sally is deeply loved by her family and so many friends. She had a fabulous sense of humor, made us laugh often, always asked and cared about how we were doing, and intentionally sought out personal quality time. We enjoyed so many trips, holidays, and everyday life together.

Sally was a graduate of Bucknell University, with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. Sally moved to New Jersey when she was seven. Her father was a purchasing agent for Warner-Lambert (pharmaceutical) in Morris Plains, N.J. Sally married Raymond Hall in 1961. During Sally’s career, one of her favorite roles was public relations director for Fairleigh Dickinson University. Jim Coulson was a childhood friend of her brother Bill, who had returned to New Jersey after retiring from his military career in the Army, and they married in 1991. Jim and Sally especially enjoyed traveling together throughout the US and Europe and making each other laugh.

Sally was a very active member of the Concord Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, deeply loved singing in the choir, and served as a deacon. Previously, Sally had been a long time member of The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, N.J, attending since childhood. Sally moved to Garnet Valley a few years ago to be located closer to her children and grandchildren. Sally enjoyed reading and knitting, doing calligraphy professionally, singing, genealogy, attending opera, traveling, swimming, skiing, and walking. She was a lifelong learner, often taking courses to explore and understand new topics.

She will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Concord Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, music programs (concordpc.org/give/donate). Sally will be buried at Hilltop Cemetery in Mendham, N.J., with a private family ceremony, next to her beloved late husband James Coulson. In 2021, the family expects to have a memorial service to honor Sally with family and friends; details to follow.  Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. (484-734-8100).  condolences at www.griecofunerals.com.

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