Portland- Patricia May (Peterson) Earley, 80, passed away at the Barron Center on Sunday, January 14, 2018. As her husband James often said "she was the best of the best". The daughter of Norman and Dorothy (Wardwell) Peterson, she was born on October 3, 1936 in Portland. She grew up in Westbrook, where she attended school, graduating in 1954 from Westbrook High School. When she was growing up her parents took in a foster son named Larry Dennis, who was like a brother to Patricia. Not long after her graduation Patricia decided to have a dance party in the family's garage. She had a lot of girlfriends coming, but the party was "short on boys". Some boys from Portland agreed to come and her future Husband James H. Earley was among them. The two fell in love and were married on June 1, 1957. James fondly remembers the two had actually danced together years earlier when they were 13 at a dance at the Highland Lake Grange Hall. After they were married they lived for a short time in Portland, until they bought her parent's house on Duck Pond Rd, in Westbrook, the same house, she grew up in. They lived there for many years raising their five children. She worked for Casco Bank, and then in the Westbrook school system, following her children around in the various schools. When the children were grown she started her own cleaning business which she ran by herself for 10 years until her husband James joined her. They worked together for another 20 years. They loved and were loved by their customers. She was a member of the Highland Lake Congregational Church, and served in the Ladies Guild. Early in life she had a teacher named Verna Jones, that inspired a love of gardening, and she enjoyed many years of flower gardening and enjoying the birds, especially humming birds, in her yard. Patricia's family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the wonderful care she received while she was at Bella Vita Assisted living facility, and later at the Barron Center. Patricia was predeceased by her daughter Julie Earley. She is survived by her husband James of 60 years, her son James M. Earley and his wife Ruth, of Westbrook, her daughters, Debra Beal, and her husband Donald, of New Gloucester, Beth Hackett, and her husband Brian, of Mechanic Falls, and Dawn Miller, and her husband Earl, of Chesapeake Virginia. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 4-6 PM at Dolby, Blais & Segee Funeral Chapel, 35 Church St. Westbrook. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place in the spring at Highland Lake Cemetery, in Westbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patricia's memory to the Highland Lake Congregational Church, 1303 Bridgton Rd. Westbrook ME 04092.