AUGUSTA – Darlene “Dee” Leighton-Cutting passed unexpectedly on Monday afternoon, March 18, 2024, at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta with her family by her side. She was born on Oct. 25, 1942, in Gardiner and was the daughter of the late Roger and Juanita (Dore) Leighton.

She was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd Cutting; and her brother, Dave Leighton.

Darlene graduated from Gardiner High and attended Farmington State Teacher’s College. She worked for several years for the State of Maine and after some years at home raising her daughters and other children in her care her love of people led her to new opportunities with several area businesses, including Frank Pomerleau’s, Cold Water Creek Retail, the Chamber of Commerce and the Senator Inn and Spa in Augusta.

Darlene had a wide network of friends. She loved life, laughter, and people. She made friends everywhere she went – and, each of those friends has a story to tell about their interactions with Darlene. She was very generous with both her time and possessions – visitors to her home very seldom left without a gift of one of her treasured stuffed animals.

For the past 20 years, Darlene has resided in Winthrop, where she and Lloyd were surrounded by a group of loving, supportive friends. Family was of the utmost importance to Darlene and she doted on her eight grandchildren. It is a known fact that they are the cutest, smartest, sweetest people around – just like their grandmother!

Darlene is survived by her two daughters, Shannon Robbins and her husband, Jim of Searsmont, and Stephanie McArthur and her husband, Todd of Farmingdale; her eight grandchildren, Noah, Mary, Erin, Adelle, Julia Robbins, Collin, Evan, and Elise McArthur; her sister, Carol Leighton of Farmingdale; nephews, Steve Leighton, his wife Wendy and great-nieces Sarah and Carly of Webster, Mass.; John Leighton, his wife, Kate and great-nephew, Jacob and great-niece, Amelia of Attleboro, Mass.; and Gregg Leighton and wife, Lisa, and great-niece, Allison and great-nephews Andrew and Jack of Shrewsbury, Mass.; her sister-in-law, Margaret Briggs and her family, Bob, Katie, Connor and Cody Perkins and Bill, Cassandra and Barrett Perkins; stepdaughter, Jodi Cutting and her children, Ryan, Sidney and Ally Rodrigue. She is also survived by several cousins and many loving friends.

A celebration of life for Darlene will be held on Saturday, April 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Augusta Elks Lodge.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Alford Center for Health for their compassionate care of Darlene and her family.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at RipostaFH.com

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you share kindness with others. Whether it’s a simple smile or a nice conversation with a stranger, spread kindness as Darlene would.

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