MIDDLETOWN - Patricia Conkling, 71, of Middletown, departed this life on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at the Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. She was the loving wife of George J. Conkling, Jr. She was born on August 4, 1940 in Port Chester, NY, a daughter of the late John and Mary DeLuca. She was a great lover of animals and nature who took great joy in feeding and caring for the wildlife near her home. In her free time she enjoyed decorating and cultivating her garden. In addition to her husband, she will be sadly missed by her daughter Jennifer (Cianciolo) Patterson (and Desmond) of Bloomington, IN; her grandchildren: Oliver Patterson, Anthony, Zachary, Erika and Joshua; her step children: Bob Conkling of Wallingford and Theresa (Conkling) Back of North Haven; a sister: Anna Diliberto and Louis of Watertown; an uncle: John DeLuca (and Nancy) of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her brother: John DeLuca. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 3:00 PM at the Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Rd., Wallingford. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Assoc., the American Diabetes Assoc., or the National Wildlife Federation. The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford has been entrusted with the arrangements.