Obituary of Esther Darling

Esther Costa Darling, age 81, of Stratford, beloved wife of the late Don G. Darling, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at Bridgeport Hospital surrounded by loving family. Born in Bridgeport, on July 25, 1941, she was a daughter of the late Mikele and Elpiniqi (Spiro) Costa. Esther was a senior secretary in the commercial lending department at People’s Bank for many years until her retirement in 2003.  During her lifetime, she was a member of Teuta Ladies Society at St. George's Albanian Orthodox Church.  She was an avid crafter and graced all her family and friends with beautiful decorations and party favors for bridal and baby showers or any special event.  Esther hosted Christmas Eve for her entire family for many years where cherished and lasting memories were created.  She enjoyed going to shows at the casino to see her favorite musicians with her husband but her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren whom she loved so dearly.  She found great joy in helping people in need and was instrumental in assisting Albanian immigrants get established in The United States.  Esther always rooted for the underdog.  She was a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother and will be missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include two loving daughters, Kathryn Darling-Greene and her husband Allan and Karyn Lenahan and her husband James, four cherished grandchildren, Carolyn Kay and Daniel, Thomas and Jake Lenahan, a brother, George Costa and his wife Carmen and a sister, Mary DiIulio and her husband John as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Olga Glucksnis and Dorothy Ross.

A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. Interment will follow in Nichols Village Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Friday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a Charity of One’s Choice.