Theresa Ann Darby

Theresa Ann Darby of Normantown passed away unexpectedly on May 16, 2023. Her husband Sam was at her side as she passed. They had been married for 39 years, and he is heartbroken and lost without her. 

   Theresa was born on March 12, 1961 in Sandusky, Ohio, daughter of Richard and Mary Fabik. She graduated from Edison High School in 1979 and Bowling Green State University with a business degree in 1983. She met Sam Darby in 1978 and they married on October 22, 1983. They were blessed with two sons, Bryan in 1986 and Jesse in 1988. From the time she was 22 years old she worked with her husband to build a successful tent and camping business, Panther Primitives, Inc., managing the office activities. 

   Three beautiful grandchildren arrived, and they became the center of her universe. Presley (8); Jameson (6) and Piper (6) were always at her side playing, cooking, crafting some big project or reading some of her hundreds of children’s books with her. Among her very favorite things to do was taking her grandchildren camping and attending their ballgames and school plays or activities. She belonged to the Tomahawks family of primitive campers and will be missed terribly by them. Sitting around the campfire telling stories will never be the same for the Darby family. 

   Besides her husband Sam and sons Bryan (Tanner, WV) and Jesse (Prospect, OH) Theresa leaves behind Bryan’s girls Presley and Piper, her good friend Shannon (Jesse’s wife) and their son Jameson, her father and mother Richard and Mary Fabik (Milan, OH), brothers Tom (Cheryl) Fabik of Norwalk, OH, and Ray (Laura) Fabik of Lebanon, OH as well as sister in law Phyllis Bruce (Wadestown, WV) and niece Sharli Bruce and nephews Darby Tejeda, Nathan Tejeda, Sebastian Fabik, Mateo Fabik, Tevin Fabik and Draden Fabik. 

   Theresa’s smile could light up any room she entered and to say that she will be missed is a colossal understatement. Her family will always endeavor to keep her memory alive and never forget all of the pure joy that we shared with her. Per her request, the Darbys will hold a private celebration of life for her later this summer. 

Ellyson Mortuary, Inc., is honored to assist the family of Theresa Ann Darby with cremation arrangements.