Mary Elizabeth Forman Farrell

May 27, 1932 - July 8, 2018

Mary Elizabeth Forman Farrell died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, July 8, 2018, 2:22 pm at her Jupiter residence. Mary was born in Albany, New York, May 27, 1932 to parents Elizabeth Mary (1898-1977) and Joseph Herbert (1897-1971) Forman. She graduated from Blessed Sacrament School in 1946 and Cathedral Academy in 1950. High School graduation honors included the “Parker Dunn Medal for History” and “Sons of the Revolution of the State of New York Award”. Her career ambition was to become a Secretary. Mary began her career as Legal Secretary for Scully Attorneys-At- Law. Later, she transitioned to the Insurance Industry, starting as Telephone Operator, then reaching the pinnacle of her career as Executive Secretary General Accident Group. Mary was a congregant of Blessed Sacrament Church. A true Servant Leader, Mary was a founding member of “Circle”, a social welfare group established to reach out to parishioners in nursing homes and begin the first church food pantry. She participated in Blessed Sacrament School Parent Teacher Association and church fundraising activities. Her generosity of spirit touched many lives as Leader of Junior Girl Scout Troop 454 Hudson Valley Council. Mary devotedly cared for her Parents and Paternal Aunts Lena Mary Forman Conroy and Ellen Hadsell Forman until their demise. She enjoyed lifelong hobbies of reading, journaling, crocheting, embroidery, rug hooking, birdwatching, gardening, traveling, and photography, noting the importance of recording the people, places, and dates on each photograph. After lovingly raising son Peter and daughter Maura, Mary retired at age 57 to enjoy life and travel the world. The next chapter of Mary’s life began with retirement and marriage to David Lawrence Farrell November 7, 1980. Mary and David enjoyed motor home travels to US parks and golf courses and eventually moved to Naples then Fort Myers, Florida. Volunteering as an Elementary School Reading Tutor, a “Pink Lady” at East Naples Urgent Care, and as an AARP Driver Safety Telephone Coordinator enriched her retirement years. Our Lady of Light Catholic Community became Mary’s next church home where she participated in Our Lady’s Society. Church and country club socials, golfing, and travels entertained Mary and David. An avid journalist and photographer, Mary recorded their adventures to the Amazon Jungle, Canada, Caribbean Islands, Europe, Mexico, Panama Canal, and South America. Mary devoted her life to caring for her beloved husband David during his chronic illnesses until his untimely death May 3, 2007. As a Widow, Mary remained fiercely independent, enjoying church socials, reading new books from the public library, surfing the internet, gardening, birdwatching, Fairway Bend card games, and visits from family and friends. Her final chapter of life began August 9, 2015 when Mary relocated to Courtyard Gardens Assisted Living to be closer to daughter Maura and Son-In-Law Steve. Revitalized in body, mind, and spirit, Mary thrived and enjoyed a full and happy life by attending “school”: Arts & Crafts, Bible Studies, Exercise Classes, Happy Hours, Holiday Parties, Horse Racing, Ice Cream Socials, Mother’s Day Teas, Music & Dance Performances, Scenic Bus Tours, and “Gardening with Maura”. Mary was a congregant of St. Peter Catholic Church where she received the Catholic Sacraments, prayed the Holy Rosary, and attended Mass which sustained her spiritually. Mary was a devoted Daughter, Sister, Niece, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin, and Friend. She will be remembered by her unconditional love, devotion to God, kindness, compassion, generosity, inner strength, resiliency during adversity, patriotism, great sense of humor, and zest for life. She was predeceased by her Husbands Peter John Farrell (1932-1975) US Air Force Korea and David Lawrence Farrell (1925-2007) US Navy WWII, Siblings Dorothy Elizabeth Ward (1924-2003) US Coast Guard SPARS WWII, Joseph Charles Forman US Marine Corps (1939-2010), and Paternal Uncle Charles John Forman US Army WWI (1889-1947). Mary’s memory is cherished by Son Peter John Farrell, Daughter-In-Law Jacqueline Cesare Farrell, Daughter Maura Farrell Miller, Son-In-Law Steven Paul Miller, Grandchildren Rosemarie Farrell, Chelsea Ann Farrell, Peter John Farrell, III, Sara Megan Miller, Nieces Cherryl Ward Thomas, Marka Ward Case, Jacqueline Case, Rebecca Forman Hardiman, Nephew Joseph Scott Forman, Sisters-in-Law Mary Beth Consolo Forman and Elaine Forman McPherson, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and devoted caregivers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Catholic Church, 1790 Indian Creek Parkway, Jupiter, Florida, Friday, July 27, 2018, 10 am, followed by graveside service and interment at the South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Florida, 12:45 pm. Roses were Mary’s most favorite flower the beauty of which she enjoyed her entire life. In lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to: “Mary E. Farrell Memorial Fund” Blessed Sacrament School, 605 Central Avenue, Albany, New York, 12206.