Patricia Faith Leighton, 92, of Falmouth, passed away on April 23 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Pasadena, Calif. on April 10, 1932, she was a daughter of John Nutter and Dorothea (Perreault) Nutter Roberts.
She grew up in Sanford and graduated from Sanford High School in 1950. She attended the University of New Hampshire, where she was an active member of the alpine ski team and field hockey team. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1954. She was an active alumna and was in the process of planning her 70-year reunion. After receiving her master’s degree from Denver University, she taught biology and physical education in the Denver public schools. While out west, she enjoyed hiking and skiing in the Colorado mountains and coaching both skiing and gymnastics.
Her adventurous spirit led her to travel throughout Europe on a sabbatical for education research. She returned to Maine to focus on raising her family in Harrison. Aside from time with her family, she enjoyed all outdoor sports, especially skiing and golfing. She was a longtime ski instructor at Evergreen Valley, Pleasant Mountain, and Shawnee Peak. She passed on her knowledge and passion of skiing to her kids, grandkids, and hundreds of people she coached over the years.
She was proud to be a lifetime Girl Scout, starting at age 7. She especially enjoyed her times as a senior leader, leader trainer, and most recently volunteering with her granddaughter’s troop.
She enjoyed spending summers in Eastport with her late husband, Porter. They were passionate about the revitalization of the city, working on many land developments and building projects. They were proud to become part of that community.
For the last five years she split her time between Maine and Englewood, Fla. Her summers were spent visiting family in Falmouth, Brunswick, and Eastport. Her winters in Florida were spent sharing activities with new friends alongside her sister, Sally (Cliff) and niece, Beth (Jim).
She was predeceased by her husband, Porter Leighton, of Falmouth; son, Craig Leighton, of South Portland; and brother, Thomas Nutter, of Sanford.
She is survived by her daughter, Kristen Hoot and husband, Brad, of Falmouth; son, Kevin Leighton and wife, Darcey, of Brunswick; daughter, Rachel Leighton, of Falmouth; 10 grandchildren, Luke and Zack Bodwell, Kiley Hoot, Karli Leighton, Courtney, Michael and John Foley, Matthew Leighton, Kayla Leighton, and Ben Margel; one great-grandchild, Gracie; sister, Sally Carpenter and husband, Cliff; sister, Paula Roberts; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, June 15, at the Hillside Cemetery in Damariscotta. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Eastport Chamber of Commerce for the buoy project (checks made out to Eastport Buoy project), P.O. Box 207, Eastport, ME 04631; or Hospice of Southern Maine (hospiceofsouthernmaine.org) or Hospice of Southern Maine Home Program, 390 U.S. Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home. Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting stronghancock.com.
