Darling Worthy

Darling Ann Hackett was born in Chester, South Carolina on June 27th, 1935 to the late Douglas Craig, Sr. and Vera Worthy Ollie. At 18 years old she bravely moved to New York City alone to make a new life. Her childhood had not been kind and she was determined not to be swallowed by it.

She settled in Brooklyn, NY where she would live out the rest of her life.

Ann found her niche working in retail, women’s clothing. Most notably, Burton’s Clothing Store in Brooklyn. She was tall, beautiful, and always impeccably dressed. The neighborhood children called her “The Barbie Doll.”

Having overcome a difficult childhood and beaten breast cancer at age 50, Ann was gifted with an enormous amount of compassion for the vulnerable, sick, and suffering.

She often encouraged her fellow patients at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She had a way of making you feel stronger, just by talking to you. People who were frightened and most in need of a friend were drawn to her. Even when she would later go into a nursing home herself, fellow residents would seek her out when they felt upset or afraid. She was truly the embodiment of Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.”

Throughout her life, Ann made frequent visits to hospital and nursing homes, rushing to bring cheer, comfort, and advocacy. In an age before hospice was prominent, when a friend or family member was “sent home to die,” Ann would pack a small bag and go home with them, staying there until they died. She would take care of their physical needs and comfort them by singing hymns and reading to them from the Psalms. She would talk, listen, and pray with them. This was her habit and I (Kim, her daughter) witnessed her showing this compassion even to people who had been unkind to her. By this time Ann was a devout Christian and her faith was obvious through the things she did. (James 2:18).

At the end of her life, when Alzheimer’s had taken many of her physical and mental abilities, still her compassion shown through. She would often look through eyes of pity from her wheelchair to those who were worse off than she was, and she would communicate love through her facial expressions and small gestures. During her stay at the nursing home, she found a dignity and grace, the ability to laugh every time we saw her, and ultimately peace.

Ann was known for many things: marathon shopping days, big happy Christmas celebrations that lasted for weeks, delicious homemade feasts, but mostly, she was a woman whose friendship and kindness knew no bounds.

On April 7th, 2020, Ann went home to be with the Lord she loved so much. She leaves to cherish fond memories 2 daughters: Kimberly Hackett Pizzo (Joseph) and Phyllis Worthy, 8 sisters: Addie Keith, Arie Williams, Brenda Smith, Fronie Cunningham, Lela Dixon, Linda Brice, Minnie McClain, and Pauline Byers; 2 brothers: Douglas Craig (Mary) and Roger Craig. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, Dorris Craig and Raymond Craig (Gloria), and 2 sisters, Bessie Lee Able and Willie Ann Craig.