Marianne Darling

Marianne Concetta Darling passed away, at the age of 60, on Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 surrounded by her loved ones.

Born July 2, 1961 in New Britain, Connecticut to Sebastian and Albina Urso, Marianne attended St. Marys and New Britain High School where she made friends who stayed with her until her last breath. Her passion for style and fashion led her to become a hairdresser for the next 20 years at JC Pennys in the Westfarms Mall.  In 1989, she married the love of her life, Charlie Darling, and 4 years later, fulfilled her dream of having a little girl, Kathryn Darling.  Raising and teaching her daughter showed Marianne that her destiny was to be a preschool teacher, helping to develop and instill awareness and a love of learning in other children.

In 2005, Marianne won the National Child Care Teacher Award for Connecticut.  She was awarded Berlin YMCA Teacher of the Year in 2007 and Town & Country Early Learning Center Preschool Teacher of the Year in 2013.  In 2015, she earned her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development (Dean’s list).  Marianne impacted not only each child and parent’s lives, but also her fellow teachers. Teaching was a joy, not a job to Marianne. She lived by the lessons she taught.

Marianne was the strongest, most compassionate, courageous, and giving woman you could meet.  She always thought about others' needs before herself and gave to those in need.  Her boundless creativity led her to crochet blankets, angels, stuffed animals, craft holiday gifts and more for hospital workers, friends, and anyone who showed her kindness. She made friends wherever she went.  She thrived on learning something new daily and finding comfort in spending time with family, including her dog Haylee, cat Sweet Pea, and cat grandson Rory, whom she taught some sign language.

Marianne’s memory and big heart live on in her husband Charlie Darling, daughter Kathryn Darling, mother Albina Urso, brothers Michael Urso, and Kevin Urso along with their spouses, Shellie Urso and Syndia Serrano-Urso, respectively, and her dear nieces Lauren Rahmeier (spouse Jacob Rahmeier), Jordan Urso, Rachel Urso, Bryalis Torres-Serrano, and Nyla Urso-Serrano.  Marianne was predeceased by her father, Sebastian Urso.

Calling hours will be held Friday, May 13th 5-7pm at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin/Porter’s, 111 Chamberlain Hwy, Kensington.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 14th at 11:30 am at St. Paul’s Church in Berlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Muddy Moose Mutts Rescue, where she met Haylee.