Cheryl Diane (Duford) Patten (aka, Dayahna Durocher)

NEWPORT, NH – Cheryl Diane (Duford) Patten (aka, Dayahna Durocher), 78, died peacefully, surrounded by her children, at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH on June 8, 2025.

Cheryl was born on February 20, 1947 in New London, NH to Leo and Estelle (Durocher) Duford.

She married Malcolm Patten, a dairy farmer, in 1963 and resided in Springfield, NH where they raised three children.

Her children remember her as an excellent cook and baker. She would freeze and can many fruits and vegetables from her garden. Cheryl helped her mother cater events, was the town clerk in Springfield for many years, and was instrumental in preparing and publishing the Springfield Town Cookbook, “Treasured Recipes of the Townspeople,” to help raise funds for a new baseball/recreation field in Springfield. She enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and square dancing.

Cheryl graduated from Colby Sawyer College in 1986 with a degree in Business Administration.

Cheryl arranged an opportunity for seniors to enjoy a special Christmas morning. Each year, Cheryl would oversee preparations to provide Christmas stockings to the residents in a chosen senior citizen facility. Cheryl arranged for a different location of recipients each year for the several years that she operated “Santa 4 Seniors.”

Cheryl is predeceased by her parents, Leo Narcisse and Estelle Annette (Durocher) Duford of Springfield, NH and East Providence, RI; her four brothers, Francis Leo, Jacksonville, FL; Alfred Henry, Grantham, NH; Roland Stanley, Grantham, NH; and Jerry Vaughn, Atlanta, GA.

Surviving family members include her three children, Brian F. and his wife, Kimberly Patten, Melissa J. Patten, and her friend, Kelly Fontaine, and Jason S. Patten and his significant other, Christie Hutchinson; two grandchildren, Kristin (Adam) Hill and Timothy (Melissa) Patten; three great-grandchildren, Levi and Callie Hill, and Colton Patten, all of Springfield, NH; her sister, Bonnie Sue (Raymond) Parker of Barrington, RI; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newport Senior Center, at 76 S. Main Street, Newport, NH 03773. 

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