Nancy J. Viles

PORTLAND - Nancy J. (Mullin) Viles, 84, passed on Monday, May 24, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 17, 1937, in Portland, a daughter to the late John H. Mullin, Sr. and Marion H. (Lee) Mullin. Nancy grew up in Portland living in a beautiful home on the corner of Edwards Street and Brighton Avenue; her Irish clan were parishioners at St. Patrick's Church where her father was a member of the offertory and an usher. She attended Portland schools and graduated from Deering High School in 1955. She played basketball supporting her team as a co-captain and was a member of the swim team; however, her favorite sport was crushing the ball in field hockey. After high school, she continued her education at Westbrook Junior College in Portland, graduating in 1957 earning an Associate Degree in Secretarial Sciences. During high school, Nancy worked at Wainwright Farm in Cape Elizabeth, picking up friends in her truck along the way, where they prepped fields, laid water pipes and harvested strawberries and blueberries. When not in school or working on the farm, you could find Nancy frolicking on the shores of Peaks Island at her cousin's home and on the beaches of Chebeague Island at her brother's cottage. While attending a dance at Fort Williams in 1959 with friends, Nancy caught the eye of a handsome young man by the name of Earl from across the room, who said it was her beautiful smile that drew him to her. Unbeknownst to the properly-raised Irish lass, Earl had a rebel-raising lifestyle camouflaged by his charm; we believe she was drawn to the glint of "adventure" in his eyes. During their romance, they became the love of each other's lives and, after selling his boat and motor to buy an engagement ring, proposed to Nancy. They were married at St. Patrick's Church on September 22,1962 with the reception held at Smith Farm in West Falmouth. From there, Nancy's life was blessed with the birth of her three girls, Julie, Andrea and Diana, who were forever known as "Earl's Girls." As she tried to raise her girls with good manners, to be polite young ladies with attire to match, her efforts were challenged by their father's smiling encouragement to play in the dirt and take risks which prompted her infamous "Earl!" shout when he was caught red-handed during one of our "adventures." Of the many passions Nancy passed down to her daughters, shopping and antiquing were her proudest legacies. Many weekends were passed at flea markets, auctions, and garage sales; as her girls got older, she was the built-in GPS to every day trip. Nancy and Earl provided their daughters with a wonderful childhood, spending much time with their close friends the Browns, Smiths and Lawsons. The families spent a great deal of time together camping, snowmobiling, and playing cards. While staying home to raise her three girls, Nancy worked a variety of part-time jobs including delivering phone books, Porteous, the Census Bureau and Telemarketing Group. Once her daughters were older, she worked full time at Hanover Insurance Company. After 13 years, she joined her husband in retirement. The only others that could rival Nancy's love for Earl and her daughters were her five grandchildren, whom she loved, spoiled, supported and were proud of more than words could express. The family that will miss and honor Nancy are daughter, Julie (Viles) Merrill her husband, Gordon Merrill; daughter, Diana Viles and partner Dustin Honey; and son-in-law, Dana Wedge. She is lovingly honored by her daughter, Andrea (Viles) Wedge who passed away in April 2013. The pride and joy of her life are her grandchildren, Ryan Merrill, Mitchell and Griffin Wedge, Carsyn and Isabella Viles, who also experienced the infamous "Earl!" call when on an "adventure" with their grandfather. We will carry your love and spirit with us every day, try our best to remember our manners, attempt to drive a little slower (that's a tough one) and will never pass a bakery. We would like to express our gratitude to all the staff at Park Danforth for the friendships, compassion, and care. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 from 4-6 p.m. with a Service at 6 pm at Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. A burial will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 10 am, Blanchard Cemetery in Falmouth. To view Nancy's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy's memory to: Maine Cancer Foundation 170 US Route 1 #250 Falmouth, ME 04105 #207.773.2533