Obituary of Margaret Mary Farren

FARREN (LENIHAN), MARGARET "MARJORIE" 1920-2017 In the loving arms of her family, passed away peacefully at age 96 at Shannex Quispamsis on Good Friday afternoon April 14. Daughter of the late James Herbert Lenihan and Ellen Larissey of Lancaster NB. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years William Gerald Farren. Also predeceased by her brothers Joe and Jim, and sisters Eileen and Katherine Lenihan; and her son Kevin. Loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she is survived by her sons Bill (Gerrie) of Toronto; and Mark (Shiang Dai) of Ottawa; and by daughters Sister Rose Farren, Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, of Ghana, West Africa; Jane Robichaud of Dartmouth NS; and Faith (Grant) Brenan of Rothesay NB. Also survived by grandchildren Danielle (Andrew) Matthews, Halifax; Michael Robichaud, Calgary; Patrick (Christy) Robichaud, Dartmouth; Leonardo Farren-Dai, Taipei, Taiwan; Dr. Luana Farren-Dai, Saint John`s NL; Marco Farren-Dai, Vancouver; and Jonathan, Mattie and Peter Brenan, Rothesay; and great-grandson Jack Matthews, Halifax. Marjorie graduated from Saint Vincent’s High School and Saint John Vocational School and was employed at the uptown branch of the Royal Bank of Canada before her wedding at age 22 in 1943. Marjorie’s resilient life and impressive longevity were centered around loyalty and devotion to her faith as well as her family. She was an engaged parishioner at several churches of the Catholic Diocese of Greater Saint John: Assumption and Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Pius, The Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Marjorie was a lifelong member of the Catholic Women’s League; she supported the modernization efforts of the Church, and was a proud supporter of the missionary health programs promoted by her daughter Dr. Rose in West Africa. Nearly rendered a widow in 1955 at age 34 with 5 children under age 10 she pushed herself to learn how to drive and dedicated herself to husband Gerald’s cardiac rehabilitation – including in 1956 a four-month road trip respite-for-two to Florida, Mexico and California; so successful was she that in 1963, after an 8 year interval Marjorie gave birth to a surprise baby # 6 – and aptly christened her Faith! Family life was rejuvenated and Papa Gerald survived a remarkable 47 extra years of wellness beyond his initial devastating cardio episode. Marjorie was generous, understated and sometimes stoic and self-sacrificing almost to a fault. She maintained a lifelong mischievous curiosity and deep sense of honour. Always constructive. Great amateur singer, keen 'West Side' women`s bridge club member for 40 years. She remains an inspiration to us all! Special thanks to dedicated staff at SJRH and Shannex Nursing Home – in particular Nurse Elizabeth Collings who cared for our Mom so tenderly in her final hours. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424). By request of the family there will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 31 Gondola Point Rd., Rothesay, NB on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 1:00 PM, with a reception to follow. Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Romero House in Saint John at romerohouse@nb.aibn.com.