Patricia Richards

SOUTH PORTLAND — Patricia A. Richards, 80, died on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at Maine Medical Center.

She was born in Portland on Oct. 5, 1934, the daughter of John W. and Margaret G. (Nugent) Casey. She graduated from Porter High School as salutatorian of the Class of 1953. She was crowned the 1953 Maine State Apple Queen.

She married Joseph Richards of Yarmouth on April 19, 1958. They briefly lived in Portland before settling in South Portland to raise their family. They were members of Holy Cross Parish and their social life revolved around their friends from the church. Pat was a very creative person and enjoyed sewing, knitting, drawing and painting. She took pride in decorating her home, and was known to rearrange the furniture weekly. In the summer, she enjoyed spending time at the beach with her children. Throughout her entire life, she was very close to her aunt and uncle, Theresa and Paul Casey, and spent much time with them, as well.

Pat was a stay-at-home mom and housewife while her children were young. For several years, she worked at home, sewing comforter covers for Cuddledown. She was widowed at age 47, and at that time began working outside the home, first for Norton Insurance Company and then as a secretary for the Diocese of Portland. She was at the Chancery for more than 10 years before retiring.

She was predeceased by her husband Joe, who died on April 24, 1982.

She is survived by three daughters, Laurie Smith of South Portland, Beth Micucci of South Portland and Johanna Dresser of South Portland; a sister, Judith Haskell of West Baldwin; a brother, John Casey of Oakland; and six grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited 10:15 a.m., Friday, at the Chapel, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com