Patricia May (Perkins) Durling

Her parents, Lloyd A. and Inez M. (Miller) Perkins, welcomed their daughter into the world on July 12, 1929, in Laconia, NH. She grew up in Alton Bay, NH and was a graduate of Rochester High School.

Patricia attended Keene Teachers College in Keene, NH, and as fate would have it, it was there that she met her future husband, Albert G. Durling. They were married on September 30, 1950, and shared many wonderful memories together until his passing in 1967.

After completing her education and receiving her degree in education, Patricia worked for many years as an elementary school teacher with the Winchester, NH Elementary School, and as a kindergarten teacher in Swanzey, NH. She later worked as a coordinator of the Head Start Program in Keene.

When not fulfilling her life passion of educating children, Patricia cherished the many special memories created with her own children, and especially those with her grandchildren.

She was a skilled artist, creating many wonderful paintings for many to enjoy. She had an appreciation for the arts and also for music. She was also an accomplished pianist. While residing at the Woodward Home in Keene, Patricia was referred to as the "Artist in Residence". Patricia also found great solace in her adventures to the ocean.

She will be greatly missed by many, especially her five children, Thomas E. Durling and his wife, Karen, of Keene, Judith A. Matson and her life partner, Peter deMello, of Keene, Robert G. Durling of Ocala, FL, Mark A. Durling and his wife, Mary, of Spofford, NH, Theodore W. Durling and his wife, Bonnie, of Winchester, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Jennifer Durling and her husband, Jason Walsh, Matthew Durling and his wife, Jennifer Amato, Michael Durling and his wife, Alison, Nicole Lewis and her husband, J.T., Joshua Matson, Katie Matson, Robert G. Durling, Jr. Taryn Durling, Amanda Durling and her husband, Matt Adams, Elizabeth Durling, Carissa Roberts and her husband, Ian, Katie Polonia and her husband, Jeremy, Theodore Durling Jr. and wife, Mary, and Jamie Durling; many great-grandchildren; a brother, Roger Perkins and his wife, Lynn, of New Mexico; a sister, Susan Kennedy of Marlborough, NH; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Her husband of seventeen years, Albert G. Durling, her parents, her stepmother Harriet Seavey Perkins, and a sister, Nancy Rickard, predeceased Patricia.

Visitation and celebration of Patricia’s life will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers will be held on Friday, July 7th at 11:30am in St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene.