Murphys, CA…Kathleen Alice Crespi April 19, 1928 ~ November 26, 2023 (age 95). Kathleen Alice Crespi (Darby), 95, passed away in San Andreas on November 26, 2023. Kathleen was born at home in Murphys on April 19, 1928, to Jay Anson (Chub) Darby, Jr. and Florence Elizabeth Darby (Adams) of Murphys. She lived most of her life in Murphys and graduated from Bret Harte High School in 1946.

Kathleen attended one year at the University of California at Berkeley before homesickness and a re-thinking of her future led her back to Calaveras County and later to return to the Bay Area for dental hygienist school in San Francisco. She married her Bret Harte classmate Lauren Crespi of Angels Camp in 1951 and moved to Sacramento where she worked while he attended university and started a career.

Their first son, David, was born in 1961. In 1964, they moved to Stockton where their second son, John, was born. Kathleen was involved in many church, school and volunteer activities in Stockton and served various roles at Presentation Catholic Parish including the Faith Formation program for many years. In 1991, Kathleen and Lauren moved back to Calaveras, settling in Murphys.

A prolific reader and writer, the loss of her eyesight as she grew older was especially trying as she had always been a diligent and faithful correspondent with family and friends around the country.

Katheen lived an honest life and shared her gifts with others. A dignified person, Kathleen showed both strength and kindness. She was an immeasurable blessing to her family and friends. Kathleen loved her husband, her family and extended family, Calaveras County, her neighbors, and her church.

Kathleen is preceded in death by too many dear family members to list but these include her husband Lauren, her brothers Jay, Jack, Andrew, Richard (Earle) and Dan, her sister Estelle (Sally Herr) and their dear spouses, her daughter-in-law Kimberly (Hoffman) and her granddaughters Samantha and Tessara.

She is survived by her son David and his wife Kim (Vandebrake) of Charlotte, North Carolina and their children Jessica and her husband Ryan Barrett of Stanley, North Carolina, Dylan of Atlanta, Georgia, and Joshua of Charlotte, North Carolina. Kathleen is also survived by her son John and his wife Tracy Turner and their sons Grant and Ian of Ames, Iowa.

A memorial mass will be held February 3rd at 11am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Angels Camp.

Online condolences can be made at https://www.dieboldfuneral.com/. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Angels Memorial Chapel, 1071 S. Main St. Angels Camp, CA 95222 (209) 736-4552