MILLINOCKET – Audrey Elizabeth (McAvoy) Darling, 89, died June 13, 2013, surrounded by family at home. She was born Nov. 17, 1923, in Benedicta, daughter of Raymond and Thursie (Gantnier) McAvoy.
Audrey was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She had a strong will and yet a compassionate and generous heart. She was the foundation of her family and continually strived to keep unity. She was warm and welcoming. Everyone who passed through her doors was greeted with a smile and homemade treat. She loved to bake and was a wonderful cook. In her earlier years she enjoyed taking bus tours with her best friend and husband, Laurence Eugene Darling, who predeceased her March 15, 2003. She spent many hours in her vegetable garden. She enjoyed knitting, gambling, putting puzzles together, and playing marbles and cards after Saturday evening Mass. She was a self employed seamstress for many years before going to work for W.T. Grant. She was a devout Catholic; a communicant of St. Martin of Tours Church, Millinocket. She will be greatly missed, but will live forever in the hearts of those who loved her.
She is survived by her five children: sons, Ronald and Darlene (Bell), and Thomas and Sharon (Gantnier), all of Millinocket, William and Cynthia (Barnes) of Medway, Kenneth and Ruth (Boynton) of East Millinocket, and daughter, Cynthia Darling Pickard of Medway; daughter-of-heart, Pamela Dishon Rossignol of Medway; grandchildren, J.R., Adam, Tracy, Tammy, Willie, Daniel, Adam, Joshua, Alex, Brian, Laura, Nick and Kasey; and great-grandchildren, Ethan, Damon, James, Daniel, Brianna, Jordan, Kyle, Rhylie, Zashalynn, Liam, Aiden, her namesake Audrey, and David. Audrey is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Margaret McAvoy and Norma Noyes, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her siblings, Basil, George, Justina and Louise. Special thanks to Pam, Darlene and Sharon for the extended hours of tender, loving care during Mom’s illness, and to the staff at Community Health and Counseling Hospice of Lincoln.
Friends may call 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Millinocket, where a Mass of Christian burial will begin at 11 a.m. with Fr. Joel Cyr, celebrant. Interment will be at Millinocket Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462; or a charity of one’s choosing. For an online memory book and to leave condolences, please visit www.bowersfuneral.com.
Audrey Elizabeth (McAvoy) Darling
