There are some people whose laughter you can hear down the hall — whose smile warms even the hardest day. For more than 35 years, Delores (“Darcy”) Lipp was that person at JRMC. Born and raised in Linton, North Dakota, Darcy always dreamed of being a nurse, just like her older sister.
After earning a scholarship to St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Dickinson, she graduated in 1971 and began a lifelong career defined by compassion, excellence and joy. Those who worked alongside her remember the light she brought to every room.
“Darcy was so much fun to work with,” Cindy Kutz, a longtime surgical technician, recalls. “We were like two schoolgirls, always giggling. Our supervisor would separate us during meetings because we couldn’t stop laughing.”
Lois Humann, another coworker, remembers those mornings vividly. “She’d arrive early, every hair in place, organized and smiling — ready to work. A team player through and through. She spoke German with our patients, told stories and made everyone feel at ease. And she was the best IV starter around us — we’d all go to her when no one else could get it. She was a treasure to many.”
Darcy’s energy and empathy defined her care. She connected with people, not just as patients, but as neighbors and friends. Her laughter was contagious, her kindness unending and her skill unmatched. She made the ordinary days brighter and the hard ones bearable.
Outside the hospital, Darcy and her husband, Silas, shared a full and joyful life. Married for more than 50 years, they loved to travel — visiting Hong Kong, Australia, Las Vegas, Florida and Hawaii — and often found themselves collecting treasures along the way. They especially enjoyed going dancing, always to their favorite rock-and-roll tunes.
When Darcy passed away earlier this year after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer, her husband Silas wanted her spirit to live on. He chose to honor her legacy through a memorial gift to the JRMC Foundation.
DELORES “DARCY” ANN LIPP MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Beginning in 2026, the Delores “Darcy” Ann Lipp Memorial Scholarship will help future nurses pursue their calling. It ensures Darcy’s compassion continues through new hands and hearts. In addition to establishing the scholarship, Silas chose special naming opportunities within JRMC — places where Darcy’s warmth and care will continue to shine.
In a further act of devotion, Silas has pledged to create a $100,000 endowment in Darcy’s name — a lasting tribute that will continue to support nursing education and patient care for generations to come.
Silas’s generosity is more than a gift — it’s an enduring expression of love, keeping Darcy’s laughter echoing through the halls she once called home.
This season, as we remember those who have shaped our lives, we invite you to consider how you might honor someone you love. A memorial gift, whether a scholarship, piece of equipment or a contribution in a loved one’s name, creates a lasting legacy of care, connection and community.
Because when we give in memory, we don’t just honor the past — we help shape the future. And like Darcy, that legacy will make others smile for years to come.