1940 ~ 2003
Darla Thomas Farha, homemaker, local philanthropist and resident of Wichita, Kansas, for 40 years, died on May 30, 2003, at her home, of cancer. She was 62.
Darla was born on October 1, 1940, in Casper, Wyoming. Her mother, Wilhelmina Heiss of Austria, met Parker E. Thomas, a native of Wyoming, while he was serving an LDS mission in Austria. He later returned to marry her in Budapest, Hungary, on December 23, 1931.
Darla spend the early years of her life in Casper and Greybull, Wyoming. In 1952 she moved with her parents and four siblings to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she lived until her graduation from East High School. She studied English at BYU, and while working to put herself through school, she met Dr. S. Jim Farha of Lebanon, a physician who was completing his residency at the University of Utah. They were married on November 23, 1962. In 1964, the couple moved to Wichita to settle and raise a family.
Darla's life in Wichita was marked by extensive involvement with charity and the arts. Her favorite charity, HopeNet, Inc., provides services to women with unplanned pregnancies. She served on the boards of directors of the Wichita Center for the Arts, the Wichita Art Museum, the Wichita Chapter of the Leukemia Society, the Junior League of Wichita, and the Wichita Symphony, to name a few. In recognition of her contributions, the Wichita Art Museum recently dedicated the "S. Jim and Darla Farha Great Hall" to her and her husband. Darla was a supportive and active member of The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints.
Darla was known for her caring and loving attitude and her infectious smile. She always thought of others first and made those around her feel comfortable. All who met her loved her. She truly celebrated and enjoyed life. As a young girl, she was an accomplished dancer and performed frequently in theaters. She loved horses and operated a horse breeding business for many years. Her other interests included dancing with her husband, interior decorating, and making everything she touched beautiful.
Darla's primary commitment and joy in life were to her husband, Jim, and four children, Maria Farha Blewster (39), Mark Farha (37), Todd Farha (35), and Tiffany Farha-Oaks (33). Maria, a professional counselor, lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband Ken and daughter Carley. Mark is an attorney in Dallas, Texas. Todd works in the healthcare industry in Tampa, Florida. Tiffany lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband Brock and is an interior designer. Darla loved being a mother and was always available for her children and her extended family.
Darla will be greatly missed by her family and friends whose lives she touched. She is survived by her husband; her two daughters and their husbands; her two sons; her granddaughter; and three brothers, Delano P. (Provo), Yale D. (Salt Lake City), David E. (N. Salt Lake); and one sister, Charmaine T.
Blanco (Bountiful). A sister Nora died in infancy in 1938.
Memorial services will be June 3, 2003, at 10 a.m. at the LDS Church 7011 E. 13th Street, Wichita. Interment to follow at Kensington Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in Darla's name to HopeNet, Inc. in Wichita, or to the charity of your choice.