Welcome everyone. This memorial website was created in memory of beautiful Darla Roy, born on May 3, 1940 and passed away on September 15, 2015. Regardless of how well you knew her, everyone is welcome to leave a tribute below and share your condolences with the family. If you knew Darla, you might also share a memory on the Stories tab, or upload a favorite photo in the Gallery. We appreciate your visit to the site; together we can celebrate her full life and loving heart.
PS. We're also inviting folks to celebrate her by eating a piece of pie in her memory, which we know she would love. If you'd like to know one of her favorites, we've put a pie recipe in the Stories section, straight from D's recipe box.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI sure miss you
Love to sweet Leah and family and Brandon and his family
Love to the family
Love to Uncle Sam, Leah and Brandon
Please except my deepest condolences. Although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Darla, reading the comments from others shows that she was loved very much. I hope that you'll find comfort in knowing that you can see your loved one again during a time when "death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
Well, it took me a while to be able to write this to you. But in a way, I find it kind of fitting. Even without putting things into words, you and I always understood each other. Without saying it, you knew how much I loved Leah. And without saying it, I knew how much you loved Leah. We understood each other. Without saying it, you knew how much I loved you. Without saying it, I knew how much you loved me. We always just seemed to understand each other - even without words.
I think it's beautiful that the last time we said goodbye to each other (we didn't know it would be our last time), you hugged me and said, "I love you." And I hugged you back and said "I love you too." I think that may have been the first time we ever said I love you explicitly to each other, but the love between us was always there, and we both always knew it. And even though you're not physically with us, the love between us will still always be here. Thank you for the gift of your love that you've shared with ALL of us. I love you, Darla. I love you.
And all the marble games....
There are so many stories from her and uncle sam but i will always carry my sweet aunt dah in my my heart because i will love her forever and cannot wait to that day to be reunited with all our family.
There was nothing more she loved than Brandon and Leah. I remember holding both of them....what sweeties. And they still are and for always.
Now with Tim and I...Brandon and Leah
Ma-maw and Pa-paw's perfect four grandchildren. We had loads of fun and memories and we all should have kept in better touch but we were so far away.
Aunt Dah also was an apache belle at tyler junior collegeand i am so proud of that...
Uncle sam. I love you so much and will be here for as i told leah and brandon. My heart is broken too. But aunt dah is with us in our hearts...as the warm sun shines..as the winds blow and as we dream at night. We will see her again. Love to all the family.
Leah...kèep posting the photos...they are great....
You moved among us with a soft but stately grace,
Your presence aglow with happy energy,
Your voice clear as any bell,
Your eyes seeing all and shining with a love for life.
Your manner subtly inviting all others to engage with you,
Your judgment always relevant and always clear,
Your opinions widely encompassing and consistently fair,
Your heart full of undying love for your dear Leah and Brandon
And your grandchildren all.
Your undying devotion reserved for your heart mate of many years: Sam Henry Roy who has the painful task of living his life
In your ever present absence.
You are already terribly missed by all of us who loved you in return.
You will still be missed for as long as we live.
We hope to see you again someday and someway.
Goodnight, sweet D
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Uncle Sam, Leah and Brandon, and the entire family. I feel lucky to have known Darla and think of her often.
My sincere sympathies. I cannot begin to count the number of times I've thought of you and the difference you made in my life--certainly in the life of many of your students.
Wishing you strength through this and peace going forward.
Tim O'Keefe
Leave a Tribute
I sure miss you
Love to sweet Leah and family and Brandon and his family
Love to the family
Memory Lane
When my husband and I were still dating in 1987, he brought me to Moorehead, MN to meet Sam, Darla, Brandon and Leah. They were so welcoming that I felt at ease right away. Darla as always fed us with her delicious home cooked meals.
Sam drove us on a sightseeing tour of the state and we wound up stopping to camp overnight at a campgrounds adjacent to Sandy Lake. We had heard that the lake was full of leeches so we asked the ranger when we drove onto the campgrounds. He assured us otherwise. We made camp, gathered around the fire, cooked and shared stories.
The next morning the ranger drove by and jokingly announced "Leech patrol" which made us all laugh. But soon after, Brandon saw a real live leech on the back of a turtle that crawled nearby. Leah exclaimed "GROSS!" and Darla guffawed at the sight. Seeing the leech caused my fears to return, knowing that there must be many more waiting to attach themselves to my legs. But no more were spotted.
Then when we started to decamp the wind suddenly picked up, making one of the tents to start rapidly rolling away. We all ran after it but Brandon caught up with it and halted its exodus. Everyone laughed hilariously at the sight and I still remember Darla bent over gasping with glee. That was my first camping experience and I will never forget that wonderful time and having spent it with my husband's family was an added plus.
Darla had a natural talent for making others feel comfortable,welcomed and cared about. . She will be alive for us who loved her for as long as we live.
A Poem by Darla
While working for Adult Basic Education together, we met many amazing students...we learned so much about people and what it takes to meet their needs. The job was not always easy... This poem is a great snap shot of the ABE story.
Ode to ABE
People from many cultures
In a crowded classroom
Reading, computing, learning a new language
Laughter and joyful conversation mixed with words of despair
Pungent odors from spicey foods and unwashed bodies
Immigration raids, inebriated transients with mangy dogs, and an iguana at
GED testing
Unmet dreams for many; a new beginning for some
Reading, computing, learning a new language
In a crowded classroom
People from many cultures