Marilyn Rose Serrano Darby of Carrollton, Texas passed away March 27, 2023, at the age of 98. She was born on January 17, 1925, to Raoul Leon Serrano, Sr., and Mary Agnes (Marphis) Serrano in New Orleans, Louisiana. Marilyn was a graduate of St. Scholastica Academy in Covington, Louisiana and attended Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. She married the late Donald George Darby on July 14, 1951, in New Orleans and they enjoyed 48 years of marriage before his passing in 1999. Marilyn was an extremely creative and intelligent woman. She was very active in many organizations and clubs before and after marriage. Marilyn enjoyed volunteering her time with the American Red Cross, Lioness Club, and teaching in afterschool programs. She had an interest in aviation and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol; she also learned to fly a Piper J-3 Cub airplane. Marilyn’s interests also included advertising, accounting with H & R Block, and day trading. In her later years, Marilyn was active as a member, and then president of her church’s Prime Timers club. She was an incredible seamstress and used those talents to create theatrical costumes for school and community performances and clothing for dolls and children. Marilyn was also an avid dancer and enjoyed engaging in competitive ballroom dancing, including winning performances in Dallas and New York competitions. Marilyn always felt her greatest achievement was her children and grandchildren. She was the most loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Marilyn will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her daughters, Diane English and husband, Dale of Carrollton, Texas and Denise Langenhop and husband, Chuck of Plano, Texas; son, Dr. Douglas Darby and wife, Amanda of Lubbock, Texas; grandchildren, Ryan English, Ross English and wife, Heather, Rhett English, Spencer Langenhop, Trevor Langenhop, Drew Darby, Emma Darby, and Matthew Darby; great-grandchildren, Evan English, Amelia English, Charlotte English, Henry English, Lillian English, and Austin Darby; sister, Evelyn Hicks; numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Darby; parents, Raoul and Mary Serrano; and brothers, Raoul Serrano, Jr. and Dale Serrano.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 1914 Ridgeview Drive, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed by clicking on the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/3226742.
A rosary service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.