2022 Gala Honorees: The Darley Family

The Darley Family has been active in St. Luke and St. Bernardine Parish since the 1920s. Peter Darley’s grandparents, William and Mary, built a home on Jackson Avenue and raised their children Pat, Bill, Julia, and Reg. All four attended St. Luke School early in the 1930s and ’40s.

Around 1930, William and Mary worked with Daprato Rigali Studios and donated the beautiful marble statue of the Crucifixion scene that our parishioners have enjoyed and admired for many years.

Bill and Jeanne Darley met each other in kinder­garten, and the story is told that Peter’s mother, Jeanne, gave Bill a quick kiss way back in first grade at St. Luke School. All eight of their children — Bill, Stephen, Peter, Tom, Krina, Jim, Paul and Annie — were raised in the family home and all of them also happily attended St. Luke School. “Having eight kids was not unusual back in the ’60s and ’70s,” wrote Peter. “There were St. Luke families with twice as many. The Darley boys used to tell the story of how some of the school moms instructed their daughters that when you walk home from school, don’t walk past the Darley house on Jackson Avenue.”

Peter and Karen Darley met when Karen was studying to be a dentist and Peter volunteered to be a student patient. Karen still works as a dentist and enjoys working with many parishioners at the Lynch Dental Center in River Forest. Peter has worked full-time for the Darley Company for over 40 years. The company, founded by William Darley in 1908, is still family-owned. Darley Company serves first responder and tactical communities with a wide variety and range of products. Peter is part of the third generation running the company and is happy to see so many of the next generation (G4) of Darley Family now working at the company.

Peter and Karen were married at St. Luke Church in 1982 and raised their sons Mathew, William, and Kevin in the home on Jackson Avenue. Of course, all three of the boys treasured attending St. Luke School as well. William recently married Katie Trucco at St. Luke Church, following the footsteps of their parents and of William’s grandparents. It was a wonderful day, and the church has never looked so beautiful.

When asked for their thoughts on what is now St. Luke and St. Bernardine Parish, Peter and Karen wrote, “The Darleys realize that we are all so blessed as all of our family members have enjoyed the many benefits of being part of the parish commu­nity over many years. The education, spiritual development, special activities, and special relationships enjoyed and gained over the years are priceless and appreciated. Our family has always cherished being part of the parish, which has always embraced and has been welcoming to all families. The Darley Family is humbled and honored to be recognized, and we are also so thankful for everything that St. Luke’s has done for our family.”