Obituary and photographs courtesy of Joleen Darcy.

Jo Anne Darcy passed away quietly at home in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Oct. 29, 2017, following a long illness. She was born in San Angelo, Texas, on May 2, 1931, and came to California at an early age. Spending most of her life in Los Angeles County, she left her mark everywhere she called home.

In Culver City, she balanced home, family and work effortlessly as she hosted celebrations for friends and family, attended PTA meetings and organized Cub Scout events while working at a Fortune 500 company.

When her husband Curtis became ill, she and the family moved to Acton and turned a run-down saloon into a warm family restaurant that helped unite the town. She had a passion for bringing people together and making communities stronger. When her time as a small business owner came to an end, she felt the Santa Clarita Valley calling.

From executive manager of the Newhall-Saugus-Valencia Chamber of Commerce to field deputy to Supervisor Mike Antonovich to a vital participant in city formation to founding member of the Santa Clarita City Council in 1987 — a position that would last until her retirement in 2002 — she had a significant impact on the emergence of Santa Clarita as a great place to live, work, shop and play. She had what could only be described as a love affair with the Santa Clarita Valley that lasted more than 30 years.

Jo Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis (1991); and her longtime companion, Don Robinson (2013). She is survived by her four children, Gary (Georgina) Darcy, Darrell "Buddy" Darcy (Cindy Tyler), Richard Darcy, Joleen Darcy; by her forever daughter in-law Linda Darcy; and by six grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Her accolades and accomplishments are too numerous to mention; thus, her family asks and encourages everyone to view the Jo Anne Darcy Collection on SCVHistory.com.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Nov. 12, at the Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts at Newhall Elementary School, 24607 Walnut Street. Beginning at 2 p.m., the community is invited to see, hear and share memories of Jo Anne.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jo Anne's memory to the SCV Senior Center, the SCV Historical Society and the Friends of the Library. You might also want to put a little extra in the collection plate at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish (thank you, Father Mike).