Obituary: Beloved Wife and Mother Thelma (Cauldwell) Darling, 89

The following is an obituary from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home: 

Thelma (Cauldwell) Darling passed with her family at her bedside following a brief illness on January 1, 2014. She was 89 years old.

Thelma was born in Boston, the daughter of the late William and Ruth Payne. She grew up in Brighton and was a graduate of Brighton High School. She moved to Burlington in 1955 where she and her husband raised their four children. She also worked as a secretary at ITEK in Lexington. 

Thelma had a kind and gentle heart, a strong faith and deep devotion to her family and friends. Her thoughtfulness was shared with her neighbors and community. She was a talented knitter and welcomed every newborn she met with handcrafted blankets, sweaters, and hats. Her kindness extended to making items for hospitals, churches, and the local senior center. She lived in the same home for the past 58 years and treasured her longtime neighbors. Thelma was the type of person who easily met and welcomed new friends. She had a strong Catholic faith, enjoyed attending mass, and practiced her faith in the way she lived her life. Thelma was a woman devoted to her family and made being a wife and mother seem effortless. She was blessed to have had 2 adoring husbands, whom she loved. She was a caring, concerned, and protective mother to her three sons and daughter. She supported them in their activities and interests throughout their lives. She welcomed her son-in-law and daughters-in-law with open arms. She considered it a blessing to have so many grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she adored and cherished every moment she spent with them. Thelma and George’s summer home in Mashpee was a very special place for the extended family. Her children and grandchildren will always remember the summers at the beach, cookouts, laughter, commotion, and love. It was a place that strengthened the family bond. 

Thelma was the devoted wife of George Darling of Burlington and the late Robert Cauldwell. She was the loving mother of Robert Cauldwell Jr. & his wife Andrea of The Villages, FL, Gary Cauldwell & his wife June of Burlington, Gail Mead & her husband Robert of Bedford, and Paul Cauldwell & his wife Gail of Wilmington. Thelma truly enjoyed George’s children from a previous marriage, Valerie Darling & her husband Chester Stone of Plainville, Mark Darling of Montana, Karen Kenerson & her husband Scott of Danielson, CT, Wendy Darling of Plainville, and the late Wayne Darling. Thelma is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. 

Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Monday, Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday from 3-6 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Thelma’s name may be made to In lieu of flowers, memorials in Thelma’s name may be made to Sawtelle Family Hospice House 320 Haverhill St. Reading, MA 01867.