Francis & Pamela Darrow

From meeting 55 years ago at a Catholic Alumni Dinner-Dance near Universal Studios, to passing away on consecutive days, the life, marriage and death of Pamela Hartnagel Darrow and Francis Joseph Darrow, Jr.  is such a beautiful example of true love for spouse, it could be a classic romantic movie. 

Born Pamela Jane Hartnagel on February 22, 1946 to Stephen Richard Hartnagel and Dorothea Sydow Everett Hartnagel in Ventura, California, Pam grew up in Santa Paula, California. The great-granddaughter of Ventura County pioneer apricot farmer, Aratus Everett and granddaughter of Ventura County Surveyor Ernest Everett, Pam mid-life continued the tradition of agriculture, by operating the family orange ranch with her husband, Frank as the fourth generation of Ventura apricot / orange farmers. Pamela initially spent summers working in the Santa Paula orange packing house, graduating from Santa Paula High School in 1963. She earned an Associate's degree from Ventura College. She studied Social Sciences for two years at California Polytechnic University  San Luis Obispo before transferring to Cal Poly Pomona where she graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in 1968. She became a passport examiner for the Los Angeles Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. State Department where she worked until becoming a full time homemaker in 1975. 

Born Francis Joseph Darrow, Jr. on September 8, 1942 to Francis Joseph Darrow and Stephanie Meakin in Los Angeles, California, Frank grew up in Los Angeles. Seeing the joy his father had in a teaching career, and also enjoying working with his hands, Frank combined these interests by pursuing a career in teaching industrial arts. After graduating from Loyola High School in 1960, he earned an Associates degree from LA Trade Tech. He then received his Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Arts with a Teaching Certificate from California State Los Angeles in 1966. He taught Sheet Metal and Welding (Metal Shop) at Huntington Park High School for the entire duration of his teaching career from 1966 until retiring in 2000. 

After Pamela and Francis married in August 1971, they settled in Downey, California in 1973 where they lived for nearly the remainder of the adult lives. They have one son, Stephen F. Darrow, M.D. (of Minneapolis, MN) who also survives them. They became parishioners of St. Raymond's Catholic Church and active volunteers in many community organizations. Pam volunteered to work with children with physical disabilities, served in the Downey Newcomer's Club, the Parent-Teacher-Associations of the Downey Unified Schools, and the 1984 Reagan-Bush campaign with the Downey Republican Women. Frank volunteered in the YMCA organizations with his son, participated in Cub Scout activities, and even led a group in a summer camp. His passion was always building and fixing things, plus riding his two Harley's (prior to getting married). With their son, they enjoyed traveling, and even volunteered in two school led trips to Europe. Later, both became members of the Go-Go-Dodger Fan Club going to many Dodger Games. 

One month before the Covid Pandemic, Pam and Frank moved into a Catholic senior retirement community, Villa Scalabrini in Sun Valley, California where they lived for nearly four years. Here, Frank was elected President of the Residents' Council and enjoyed mentoring new residents in a Domino's game called Mexican Train. To be closer to their son, they moved in December 2023 to Minneapolis, MN and lived the remaining two and one-half years at Catholic Eldercare. Frank even brought his love for Domino's to Catholic Eldercare's Main Street Lodge becoming a Monday night tradition. 

Pamela passed away on May 14, 2026 at Catholic Eldercare in Minneapolis, suddenly, after a long illness. Francis passed away on May 15, 2026 at Catholic Eldercare in Minneapolis, after a long illness. Preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Dorothea Hartnagel, and her sister, Patricia H. Seidenberg (husband Paul), Pamela was survived by her spouse, Francis, for one day. Francis Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Stephanie Darrow, and his brothers William (wife Patricia) and Stephen (wife Amie). They are survived by son, Stephen Francis Darrow, M.D. (Minneapolis, MN). Also survived by Frank's sister Veronica Rochford (Michael) of Strathmore, Alberta, Canada and brother James Darrow (Chelo) of La Jolla, California. In addition, they are survived by 8 nephews and nieces, Matthew Darrow of Torrance, CA; Anne-Marie Rochford of Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, Canada; Jennifer Seidenberg Bock (Garret) of Steamboat Springs, CO;  Michael Rochford (Trisha) of Grand Forks , British Columbia, Canada;  Gregory Darrow of Milwaukee, WI; Tomas Rochford (Emily) of Strathmore, Alberta, Canada; Katherine Darrow (David) of Annapolis, MD; Elizabeth Darrow Hernandez (David) of Goodyear, AZ, along with 12 great-nephews and great-nieces (and 1 expecting).

Funeral Services will occur in both Minneapolis (on June 19) and Southern, California (June 25).

 For the Minneapolis funeral services on Friday, June 19, 2026 at Catholic Eldercare's St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Chapel at 817 NE Main St., Minneapolis, MN 55413. Visitation at 9:30 am; Rosary at 10:00 am; Funeral Mass at 10:45 am. A luncheon reception follows at the Main Street Lodge of Catholic Eldercare at 909 NE Main St., Minneapolis, MN 55413. 

The Southern California Services will occur at St. Raymond's Catholic Church in Downey, CA on Thursday, June 25, 2026 located at 12348 Paramount Blvd. Downey, CA 90242. Visitation at 9:30 am, Rosary at 10 am, Funeral Mass at 10:30 am. The burial will occur at 2:30 pm at Bardsdale Cemetery, Fillmore, CA. A reception will follow. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Amercian Cancer Society, PreBorn, and St. Jude's Children's Hospital Charities. The family wishes to thank all of the staff at both Villa Scalabrini and Catholic Eldercare for providing the utmost care for Pam and Frank.