By Scott Barbarino***Even as we mourn the death of one of our own, the extraordinary Sally Darling, we celebrate her remarkable life. Sometimes special gifts come to us in the form of people who bring grace, calmness and 
deep wisdom to the lives of those around them. Sally Darling came into our lives and the cabaret family later in life after an age where most people are not looking for new challenges and took it by storm with her intelligence and talent on full display in every performance she endeavored. During COVID her streaming of her readings and musings became a special balm for those most difficult of times. We were blessed to have had her in our number where her presence raised the level of every conversation had.
We’re proud to share remembrances from some of Sally’s closest friends:
Bob Diamond: There are no words that I have that will express my total love and devotion to my beloved Sally From the moment we met it was love and joy and laughter and true believe in each other. Oh, yes, did she teach me so much 
and oh what didn’t I learn.
The first and only time Sally came to our home was an experience that scared everyone: we discovered the only cat of mine, little Picasso, that ever got on anybody’s lap sat on Sally’s the minute she sat down. Sally loved the cat, but within moments, we had to rush her out of the house and get her medication so she could breathe. From that time on every time Sally and I would get together she would ask me how the kitty cat was and how she loved that cat. It was a little secret of ours and it brought a smile to her face every time she mentioned “that Cat.”
Meg Flather: I first met Sally through Woody Regan and Ann McCormick’s series, “Groovin on a Sunday.” I was immediately struck by Sally’s poise, wit, keen intelligence and exquisite gift of making every lyric count. We were part of Together with 2017 MAC Award nominees Celia Berk, Josephine Sanges and Lisa Viggiano. Then Sally pushed me to create a program of 27 cabaret “sisters.” Our bond deepened. We became family.
During the pandemic Sally and I “Zoomed” every Sunday evening, and never ran out of observations, feelings, stories to share. On one of our Zooms, discovering mutual love of The Glass Menagerie, I decided we should read it in Sally’s living room. I cast Rian Keating and Jeff Harnar and we went on to read the play for two years!
But ultimately the greatest gift Sally gave me was allowing me to organize her care. She was very proud and fiercely independent. This was not an easy task. I had to earn this gift. When I visited Sally last Friday I kissed her three times. She said, “Oh, you do love me! You kissed me three times.” Sally, I will love you forever.
Jeff Harnar: The spectacularly special Sally Darling has made her exit, ten days after her 93rd birthday. Sally was made sublimely comfortable in her gentle 
decline by the loving orchestrations of Meg Flather. Sally first came into my awareness with her brilliant Beatrice Lilly show. I can think of no other who could conjure all the colors of that iconic artist than what I saw in Sally—blessed with a great funny bone.
I was asked to direct a revue of that year’s MAC Female Vocalist nominees, a brilliant concept featuring Celia Berk, Meg, Josephine Sanges and Lisa Mullane Viggiano (what a cast!). During the pandemic Meg had the inspired suggestion of Rian Keating and I joining together for “salon readings” of The Glass Menagerie, with Barry Kleinbort guding us. The memory of those afternoons, hearing the role of Amanda read to such delicious perfection by our Sally, are the treasure that will linger… Jonquils, nothing but bouquets of jonquils, and lemonade made with a jar of maraschino cherries, juice and all!
Rian Keating: When Meg Flather decided that Sally needed something to keep her spirits up as the pandemic came to a close, she had the idea of putting together a reading of The Glass Menagerie to perform in public once it was safe to do so. For many Sundays we rehearsed at Sally’s home in Brooklyn. And because we already respected 
and loved each other, we quickly realized that the familial bonds were already in place: this experience would be one of those rare occasions when the stars align and there was no pretense of “acting.” It was if we had known each other for years.
When Sally became house bound, it was decided we would invite a few select guests to Sally’s living room….and it immediately became clear having an audience of friends in her home was good for Sally. Repeat performances with new guests would be something that would give her something to look forward to. In all, we spent nearly two years becoming the Wingfields. It was always a thrill. Sally was ours and we loved her. She had that almost preternatural ability to make you think you were only one in her universe. That was her unique gift. I am so grateful to have experienced it.
Sue Matsuki: The first word that comes to mind is “elegant,” followed by classy, intelligent, kind, funny and talented. She had the BEST speaking voice of anyone I know and oh yeah, she could sing great too.
I had the pleasure of interviewing her in my book: “Spanning the Generations—The Silent Generation: Sally Darling”. She was 88 at the time, so when asked: “Do you have any advice for other singers of your generation who may want to try cabaret for the first time?” She replied: “We can offer years of living and lots of experience. In cabaret, it is important to know what your talents are and be secure in them, and that comes with age. After that, it’s just a matter of doing your homework and getting on stage and delivering. You can do it!” She was a force to be reckoned with at any age!
Sally was very private about who she wanted to know about her health issues and even more private about who she wanted to be around her in the end; I extend my personal thanks to those who held her hand and guided her on… Sally was loved. She mattered to so many. She had an incredible, full life and left us surrounded by love.
Sally Winfree Darling was born in Hampton, Virginia, graduated from prestigious Wellesley College in Massachusetts and began her acting career, eventually moving to New York City in 1980. 
Sally played Anna in The King and I among other roles, and also directed stage productions, staged operas and performed as a narrator for symphony orchestras. Additionally, she was a narrator for the Library of Congress’ Talking Books program and Recorded Books, recording over 250 fiction and non-fiction titles. In 2005, she entered the cabaret world, often collaborating with musical director Matthew Martin Ward. Sally received multiple honors including 2016 MAC Hanson Award and a 2017 Bistro Award.
