Darla M. Meldrum

Darla M. Meldrum, 68, of Ithaca, passed away unexpectedly at home on June 11, 2025.

Darla was born on January 29, 1957 in Pemberton, NJ, the daughter of the late Howard Gauntt and Sara (Vanderbunt) Gauntt Ayers. A lifelong area resident, she attended Groton Central School and worked for many years as a health care provider. She retired after several years as a Direct Support Professional with the Franziska Racker Centers.

Darla loved being a caregiver, nature, music, Nascar, soap operas, her fur babies, gardening, and Bud Light.

She is survived by her daughters, Valerie Weaver, of Cortland (James Badman) and Leslie Eldridge (Carl Eldridge), of Endicott; her grandchildren: Adam, Camdon, Chad, Jackson, and Lacy; and a great-granddaughter, Brinley Hope.

Darla also leaves behind many cherished residents, lifelong friends, and her beloved neighbor.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Shurtleff Funeral Home, 103 Lincoln Avenue, Groton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00-3:00 PM on Tuesday, preceding the service.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, are graciously directed in her memory to the American Diabetes Association ( https://diabetes.org/?form=FUNJPCFTMUD&utm_source=google_search&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=fundraising_totepremium&utm_content=search&utm_term=non_brand_diabetes&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19608957597&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lb4a72OFBLwhDgt36PxX4voPH ).

Online condolences may be shared at www.shurtleffservices.com