SOUTH PORTLAND — Darien Leigh Richardson, 25, of South Portland, died unexpectedly Feb. 28 due to complications from a gunshot wound inflicted during a home invasion on Jan. 8. 

Born March 26, 1984, in Portland, she was a beloved daughter of Wayne and Judith (Johnston) Richardson.

She grew up in South Portland and graduated with honors from South Portland High School in 2002. 

During high school, she played field hockey, lacrosse and was on the swim team, where she was part of a relay team that set school records in the 400 freestyle relay in 2001 and in the 200 medley relay in 2002, which still stand today.

In 2006 she graduated from  Bowdoin College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and also received the NAACP Excellence in Education award.

Upon graduating from Bowdoin, she taught K-1 at Waynflete School in Portland before taking a position with the West School.

In 2008 she began working for Aetna Insurance.

Education was very important to her and her dream was to be a teacher.

Her favorite pastimes included socializing, dancing, traveling, running, yoga and reading. She loved children and enjoyed babysitting for family and friends. She loved her family and made friends easily.

She was predeceased by her grandfather, William Richardson, grandmother, Sonja Johnston, two uncles, Kent Richardson and John Johnston, III.

Surviving are her parents Wayne and Judith Richardson; her sister Sarena of South Portland; grandparents, Edith and Al Ames of Sebago and John Johnston, Jr., of Rumford, and Annetta Richardson of Windham; aunts and uncles; cousins; and many friends. 

Visiting hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 at Hobbs Funeral Home, 671 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough. 

A celebration of life will be begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 11 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Black Point Road, Scarborough, with a reception directly following in the church hall.

Memorial donations may be made to the Darien L. Richardson Memorial Fund, Attn: Victims of Violent Crimes, 184 Fellows St., South Portland, ME 04106 or South Portland High School, Attn: Jeanne Crocker, 637 Highland Ave., South Portland ME 04106. 

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