SOUTH PORTLAND — Patricia Ann Darling, 78, died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at the South Portland Nursing Home with her loving family by her side.

Patty was born in Portland on April 7, 1940, the daughter of the late Martin F. and Helen G. (McLaughlin) Earles. She attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School in the class of 1958. Patty worked most of her career in the Deli Department at Hannaford, retiring in 2003 after more than 20 years of service.

Patty’s greatest accomplishment in life was raising her eight children. She loved going to yard sales, annual Christmas parties in her home, trips to the casino, spending time at Willard Beach, and traveling. She was a longtime communicant of Holy Cross Church in South Portland. Patty will always be remembered as a happy and adventurous person, but also loved spending time in her home, entertaining family and friends.

Patty was predeceased by a son, Bobby Darling; four sisters, Constance Lambert, Katherine Kay, Virginia Goodwin and Mary Sheila Martin; seven brothers, Robert, William, John, Phillip, David, George and Kevin Earles.

She was the last survivor of 12 children.

She is survived by four daughters, Marie Jordan of Standish, Susan Mardas of Cornish, Ginny MacDonald of Naples and Julie Barrett of Colorado; four sons, Martin Darling of Gorham, Peter Darling of Standish and David Darling of Virginia; 20 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours celebrating Patty’s life were held on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers were recited at the chapel at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland.

To view Patty’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

Those who wish may make contributions in Patty’s memory to: Cure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (www.curesma.org)