Darby Jane Kubik

1960 – 2025

With heavy hearts, we, the family of Darby Jane Kubik, announce her passing on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Born and raised in Boise, Darby was a proud fourth-generation great-granddaughter of 19th century Idaho pioneers Andrew and Francis Dowling and Charles and Anna Johnson. As the baby of the family, Darby had a very happy childhood. She was raised in southeast Boise in a home built by her grandfather, Elmer Johnson. Her parents, Patrick and Eleanor (Johnson) Davis, along with her three older brothers, Charles (Chuck), Craig, and James (Jim) created what she called a happy “Leave it to Beaver” household in which to grow up.

She attended school at Campus Elementary, East Junior High, Boise High, and Capital High, where she graduated in 1978. While majoring in Elementary Education and Art at Boise State University, she worked part time at Payless Drug Pharmacy which eventually led to her 27-year career managing the critical PYXIS System for medication distribution at Saint Alphonsus Hospital. She enjoyed her job and her fellow employees. But, her main passion in life was primitive art and making wooden art objects she cut from wood and painted. She started making pieces and selling them to shops in Idaho – which quickly spread to nearby States. With the help of a sales representative, who showed her art at major trade shows, she soon had over 100 accounts selling her creations. Her business “The Egg Crate,” though profitable, eventually lost the creative essence she yearned for and she shifted to the world of antiques that her mother, Eleanor Davis, had been immersed in; Darby immediately became immersed herself! Antique World Mall on Overland Road in Boise became the center of her operations in this exciting and creative endeavor. She enjoyed everything about it! From searching for hidden treasures, to creatively displaying her wares, and socializing with her fellow dealers and customers; she was doing exactly what she loved! Darby and her own collections at her home were featured in the “Collectibles and Flea Market Finds” magazine 1999 Fall Edition.

Darby married Michael (Skip) V. Kubik in 1990. They were a perfect match. Skip not only was an accomplished artist himself, but also was an enthusiastic supporter of Darby’s profession. They both also enjoyed working in their yard doing creative landscape projects. They enjoyed roller blading and belonged to the Treasure Valley Corvette Club as well. They loved their five cats! After 26 years of marriage, Skip passed away in 2016.

In July 2017, while checking out yard sales, Darby met Monte Harlis. They were both collectors and became a duo at many antique venues. When Darby started showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s early in their relationship, Monte continued helping her, and he was there for her until she passed. Our family is very grateful for all the love and care he gave to Darby. Our family is also very grateful for the heartfelt care provided to Darby by the dedicated caregivers at Aspen Valley Senior Living Community and Keystone hospice.

Darby has been taken from us much too soon! She was so full of life and so full of love and happiness. Her friends and family will miss her forever.

Darby is survived by her three brothers, Chuck Davis (Gretchen Bates), Craig Davis, Jim Davis (Belinda); and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Skip Kubik; her parents, Patrick and Eleanor Davis; and niece, Hallie Rose Kersey Davis.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Idaho Humane Society in Darby’s name. A celebration of her life will be held at a date to be determined.