Margery Jean Isensee Darling; Ventura Native

Ventura native Margery Jean Isensee Darling died July 15 after a lengthy illness. She was 72.

Darling was born Jan. 12, 1926, in Ventura to Walter and Lillian Isensee. She was a lifelong resident of Ventura County and graduated from Ventura High School in 1943.

As the wife of a military serviceman, Darling frequently traveled with her husband of 58 years, retired Navy Capt. David Darling.

She enjoyed singing, reading and cooking. She was a member of the Sweet Adeline Society while living in Mississippi. She also founded the Just Us Girls club, a group of high school classmates that would meet annually to have lunch and reminisce.

Darling formed several long-term friendships in local bridge clubs, her family said. She was a homemaker and volunteered in a number of capacities throughout her life, her family said.

In 1985, Darling co-wrote and published a genealogical history of the Isensee family. Her grandfather, Edwin Isensee, arrived at the Ventura Pier in 1886 after sailing from San Francisco, her family said. He later became a judge and the city clerk of Ventura.

Darling’s father was also born in Ventura and worked for the Shell Oil Co. He built the family home on Crimea Street.

In addition to her husband, David Darling of Ventura, Darling is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Knutson of Mastic, N.Y.; three sons, Michael Almer of Valley Center, Jeffrey Almer of New Ulm, Minn., and Capt. Christopher Darling, who is stationed in South Korea in the U.S. Air Force; two brothers, Walter Isensee of Lakehurst, N.J., and Marvin Isensee of Ventura; a sister, Vernelle Anderson of Las Vegas; and one grandson.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assn.