Marilyn Chadbourne Darling

WELLS – Marilyn Chadbourne Darling, 90, of Wells, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Gosnell Hospice House with her family by her side.

Marilyn was born on Dec. 18, 1933, in Waterboro, Maine, the elder daughter of Howard W. Chadbourne and Marjorie (Wilson) Chadbourne Hay, and spent her childhood years in Alfred and Wells. She enjoyed spending time at the local beaches, assisted with running her family’s Cozy Corner restaurant, and attended Wells High School, where she was the head majorette for the high school band. After graduating from high school, Marilyn attended Fisher Junior College in Boston before returning home to Wells post-graduation.

In 1954, Marilyn moved to Pomona, California, with her family, leaving behind her then-boyfriend, Russell Darling. It wasn’t long before Russell followed her to Pomona, and he and Marilyn married there in 1956, before returning home to Maine. Marilyn and Russell lived in Wells during most of their 58 years of marriage, visiting her parents in California for extended times when their children were young. While raising their two children, Marilyn worked with Russell in their family excavating business in Wells, Darling’s A-1 Service.

When they retired, Russell and Marilyn enjoyed several years of traveling throughout the United States by motor home. They particularly loved visiting the Moosehead Lake region in Maine, and eventually built a second home there, which Marilyn continued to visit frequently after Russell’s death. In fact, she recently attended the annual fly-in event there in early September.

Throughout her life, Marilyn enjoyed volunteering at Wells Congregational Church and held many positions there, including Sunday school teacher and superintendent of Sunday school. She was also an officer of the Women’s Fellowship Group. Throughout the many years that Marilyn attended church services, she was eager to introduce herself and welcome new visitors. She always had a friendly smile for everyone. Marilyn was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and drove her Lincoln around town, delivering meals well into her eighties. She was well-known in Wells for quietly offering a helping hand to friends and neighbors in need.

When Marilyn wasn’t doing good deeds, she enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, stopping for an ice cream soda on every car ride, and socializing with her many friends. Marilyn was also a champion player of Chinese checkers, and would almost always win, even in her later years. Occasionally, someone would beat her, but when pressed, they had to confess that she had helped them. Marilyn had an awesome sense of humor, an infectious giggle, and loved to laugh at a good joke, even if it was about her.

Marilyn was predeceased by her husband Russell, her parents, and her sister Janice Gregory. She is survived by her daughter Rebecca R. Darling and son-in-law Brad Manter of Scarborough, her son Timothy J. Darling and daughter-in-law Karen of Wells; her three grandsons, Chris Palm (and Jenny) of Narragansett, RI, Luke Darling (and Caroline) of Kennebunk, and Doug Darling (and fiancée Kirsten Coffee) of Wells, granddaughter Emily Manter of Portland; and great-grandchildren, Calder and Cameron Palm, and Samantha and Kaitlyn Darling.

Marilyn also leaves behind her stepsister Sally Hay (and Deirdre Bird) of Lincoln, RI, stepbrother Jack Hay (and Jenni Ashford) of Longmont, Colo., four beloved sisters-in-law, Rita Coulton, Glenis Moody, and Crystal Brown, all of Wells, and Merna Burden of San Diego, Calif., and three beloved brothers-in-law, John Anson Darling, Jr. (and Karen) of Wells, Keith Darling (and Donna) of Cambridge, Idaho and Vernon Darling (and Donna) of Peoria, Ill. She also leaves 17 nieces and nephews, each knowing in their hearts that they were her “favorite,” along with many dear friends.

Marilyn’s family would like to thank the many kind and professional caregivers who provided care for her during the past few years, which allowed her to stay in her own home for as long as possible. This includes many friends who we now consider part of our family. Special thanks to the ICU team at York Hospital and the staff at the Gosnell Hospice House who took care of her during her final days.

Visiting hours will be held 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Road, Wells, Maine. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Wells Congregational Church. Interment will follow at a later date at Ocean View Cemetery.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit Marilyn’s Book of Memories Page at http://www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Rd., Wells, ME 04090.

In lieu of flowers, Marilyn’s family suggests that you help a neighbor in need or make a contribution to the:

Wells Congregational Church

PO Box 759

Wells, ME 04090

in her name