Walda Marguerite (Darring) Ansel

Walda Marguerite (Darring) Ansel

Walda Marguerite Darring Ansel peacefully completed her earthly life on November 22, 2019.  She was born in New Orleans April 2, 1932, the daughter of the late Walter and Eulalie Darring.  She is survived by her children Robin Cilmi (John) of North Carolina; Robert (Kathy) of Carlisle; Rhonda Schneider (John) of Alaska; Tammy Williams (Dave) of State College; Rory of Mechanicsburg; Rod (Barbara) of Carlisle; Ross (Amy) of Elizabethtown; Nikki of Lemoyne; Rick of Etters; Dan (Meredith) of Pottsville; Alice of New Cumberland; Spike of Carlisle; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; three brothers Walter, Gerald, and Mike Darring; and two sisters Wendy Allen and Vicki Darring.  She was pre-deceased by a daughter, Roslyn; grandson Jason Schneider; two sisters Diane Randal and Charlotte Huetwohl; and a brother, Dave Darring.

Walda enjoyed classical music and opera. She was an accomplished quilter and seamstress-her specialty was women’s formal wear.  She especially enjoyed designing and sewing bridal gowns.  She said if she ran away, she could be found sewing costumes for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

She was a competitive gymnast as a young child and loved butterflies for their beauty and symbolism.  She was a woman ahead of her time who taught her children to value every religion, every color, every family, every human.  Her later career as a drafter was second to her real passion: caring and advocating for society’s marginalized members.  She spent her life raising her children and fostering more than 100 others, several of whom remain closely connected to the family.  She tutored high school students in the biological sciences, volunteered at children’s homes, and was a court-appointed child advocate for the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association.  She served the United Church of Christ as an elder.

She performed anonymous acts of kindness in honor of her role model and father.  In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for all who knew her to commemorate her life by performing anonymous acts of kindness in her memory.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the United Methodist Home for Children, 5120 Simpson Ferry Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.

All are welcome to join Walda’s family at her gathering of family and friends on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, 14 State Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050; with Gerald “Jerry” Darring officiating.  Burial will follow in Trindle Spring Cemetery in Mechanicsburg.  Walda’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Trindle Spring Lutheran Church following the burial.

Walda’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Walda’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.