September 12, 1932 - October 22, 2004
Claudia Stanford Darden LOVED life!
Born deep in her beloved mountains of North Carolina, as a young woman she moved east, fell in love, married, raised three children and later delighted in three grandchildren. Countless folks called her 'friend' and she touched the lives of many. She never met a stranger and was quick to help out, whether through her church, the Red Cross, countless community activities or just because she saw a need.
Mom was a trained lab and x-ray technician, and worked for many years in doctor's offices or hospital settings. However, she also worked in the Washington County public schools as a reading teacher and later she became a real estate agent in New Bern.
She was curious and industrious, hard working and full of life. She wanted to know how to do everything! She learned how to change her own oil and how to make jewelry. She could swing a hammer or weld a knitting needle and felt equally comfortable doing either. From home repair to candy making, there was nothing she didn't THINK she could handle!
My mom had a wonderful life, but it was not charmed. On that fateful day in December of 1996 when she was diagnosed (by accident) with ovarian cancer, this became just another in a long line of challenges for her to overcome. With the help of a marvelous medical team and loving family and friends, she attacked ovarian cancer just like everything else...FULL SPEED AHEAD! Until the very end, some nine years later, my mom always believed that she could triumph over cancer, and in many ways she did. Her heroic battle was an inspiration to everyone around her. She rarely complained and always seemed to have just enough strength to encourage someone 'far worse off than she' with a hug and words of wisdom.
On the morning my mom passed away, she was in her own home; lying in her king-sized bed with her children and her beloved 'Tim' dog. She was surrounded by loving family and friends. You see, ovarian cancer did not win that day. It only served to make us all stronger, more loving and more committed to each other than ever before.
And now, with wonderful events like the Gail Parkins Memorial Walk and Run, ovarian cancer will continue to lose ground. Hopefully, awareness will grow about this awful disease. Researchers will be able to find new answers in the fight against OC and dedicated medical professionals will have better weapons with which to battle.
My mom was a VERY spiritual woman and a devout Christian. She believed the LORD'S Will was perfect. But she also believed that it was every person's responsibility to do all they could to improve a situation. This is our opportunity to do just that!
The Darden Family
TEAM MEMA
"Make Every Minute Awesome"
PS. We also honor our precious BETH P. EASTMAN...cousin and loving friend, who, to this day, TRIUMPHS over ovarian cancer! You GO GIRL!