Zouline Darden Machado

  Zouline Darden Machado, 104, of Galloway Ridge at Fearrington, Chatham County, N.C., died Saturday evening, October 14th, 2017 at The Arbor, Galloway Ridge. “Zou” was born in Havana, Florida on January 18, 1913, third oldest of ten brothers and sisters, and daughter of Beulah (Boynton) Darden and Benjamin Aaron Darden, of Fayetteville, NC and Tallahassee, FL. She was the last living of her siblings, and leaves a daughter, Patricia A. Donaldson (Robert) of Fearrington, NC; son Thorn McDaniel of Coconut Grove, FL, and granddaughter, Elisa O. McDaniel, M.D., also of Coconut Grove. Her life spanned most of the 20th Century and almost two decades of the 21st. All who knew her, and those that knew of her, would soundly admit the world was better with her in it.

   Zouline’s parents stressed strong work ethics combined with academics, music, curiosity, and good will - the latter of which exhibited itself amongst the siblings through caring for and supporting each other in times both good and bad.

  Zouline was educated early in life in Kentucky, and athletically gifted winning the All-State Women’s basketball trophy and game ball in 1930. She then received her teaching degree from East Carolina Teachers College, where, incidentally, she won the “Miss ECTC” beauty award in 1932. After graduation, she taught school in Fayetteville, married musician and Indian/H-D motorcycle dealer, Roy T. McDaniel and started raising a family.

  After surviving the 1918 flu pandemic, the Wall Street Crash, the Depression of the ‘30s, two World Wars, and an unfortunate failing marriage, Zouline moved to Key Biscayne, Florida with the help of her younger sister, Tommy and family. There she married the remarkable Horatio Luis “Lou” Machado, graduated her daughter from college, raised her son through law school, and saw her granddaughter finish residency in Internal Medicine. Continuing to be athletic, smart, and beautiful, she excelled on the golf course, was successful in real estate, decimated all bridge challengers, travelled worldwide, and entertained frequently at the piano whether at sea or on land.

  She leaves an indelible memory of a woman of spirit, who was joyfully “herself” and forever glad to host and welcome others into a fuller world. In her latter days, when memory began to fail, she would welcome a fresh face with, “Why hello. It is so good to see you.”

Classy to the end.

She is dearly missed by all.

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