Geneva, NY: Margaret “Margie” Teresa Farren arrived June 4th, 1952 in Rochester, NY and left terra firma March 23, 2020.
Margie – explorer, seeker, writer, poet, dear friend, sweet caregiver and healer, tireless Worker, your independent, strong, caring, creative, kind and resilient soul is so cherished.
Companion of nature (even bugs), flowers, the sound of birds, the ocean, beachcombing for driftwood, seaglass, shells and stones… champion of animals (especially lambs, horses and bears), weaver, collage maker, folk and celtic music enthusiast, pertinacious punster – you were happiest living on your own in the woods by the pond in “Shinbone Shack”. Perhaps the winds of time have finally “taken you back to Shinbone Shack”.
You will continue to be remembered and carried by so many… those your deep spirit touched, those your generous heart listened to and helped, those you lifted to more laughter through your unbound joy, those you loved, and those who loved you. Fare thee well, Margie…
Those seeds of love and life you planted with so many while you were here will continue to blossom and be shared. Some are captured here in your favorite poem by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik…
FRIENDSHIP
“Oh, the comfort – the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words – but pouring them
All right out – just as they are –
Chaff and grain together –
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them –
Keep what is worth keeping –
And with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.”
Christine, You’ve written a beautiful flight of memories, word pictures, inspirations, selfless loving and plain fun. I’ve printed it so that I can frame to see and read and feel Margie’s goodness and love. Thank you. You covered so much and more will be memory pop ups as time continues. Here’s one that came to me…Margie’s adventures with Fatoumi Raccoon of Arnett Boulevard who was not a backyard nocturnal sneak but a loving and loved adopted garden resident for its and everyone’s enjoyment and surprise. Margie just did things like that…all her life.
Margie, I remember you as Mary Anne’s “little Sister “. All little sisters are pesky, but you really weren’t! We loved you as you loved us. Judy
Margie was selfless. Life for her was all about others first. Margie would ask with true sincerity how your heart was, and/or if you were happy. She was generous, real, fun, engaging, humorous, gentle, trusting, kind, devoted, faithful, spiritual, and compassionate.
I have many wonderful remembrances of Margie like the time we drove 4 or 5 baby lambs from Canandaigua, NY to the Trappist Monastery in Spencer, MA. Margie removed the back seat of her big old car and put down newspaper and hay and we were on our way. A crowd always gathered at the rest stops we pulled into to bottle feed those sweet little lambs whose hungry bleats were loud and clear!
I love ❤️ you always, Marg.
I knew when Margie asked me “How are you doing?”, she meant it. She’d really listen. I was always truly glad to see her when she came to Canandaigua.
Go in Peace, Margie. Go in Peace.
Margie’s friendship continues to live in my heart. I have been shifting through the many wonderful written words of poetry and homemade cards…….the language of her heart!! “People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.” Thank you, Dearest Margie, for being in my heart for a lifetime (forever soul-sisters). Love and peace to the family of Margie ((hugs)) Joan
Margie, Margaret Teresa, Min…I heard the news today. I have no words and a thousand words. One more conversation. Another meeting of minds. Oh for another chance to share the space of friendship that was ours. You will be missed dearly or as you would say…you will be ‘moosed’. I love you. I am grateful for the hand you extended to me so many years ago. I am enriched by the heart, well equipped with tenderness, with which you taught. I love you.
Margie is one the treasures which will always be beating in my chest. Though I never got to spend a dream deal of time with her, or many years, her open heart made me feel like a cherished friend. The last time we saw each other was particularly short, but sweet as ever. Her parting words were “Be gentle with yourself.” I know the angels have brought you gently home to Gods Peace which has no end.
Much love to your sisters and all your family.
I got to know her best after her accident. She was in such pain and I remember that feeling because I too was in an accident where many bones were broken. We shared our pains and a deep understanding of how we would need to know pain intimately and accept it as it is. She, having experienced so much of this, was one of the wisest women and best listener who would share this wisdom after this deep listening. I am sure she knows her way around the mystery that surrounds us all. I look forward to meeting her again someday at the festival of friends where the pain can not go and the spirit moves freely. All this and that love surrounds her now and the pure light will guide her on.
On behalf of Geraldine DiNardo: “Goodbye, dear friend”…
“Silently one-by-one in the infinite meadows of Heaven blossomed the lovely stars; the forget-me-nots of Angels.” Quoted By: Henry Longfellow
We miss you with all our hearts. You were a special lady. In our hearts always.
Beautiful Margie,
I’m stunned by this news. Last time we connected you had plans. What happened Dear Friend? Not knowing is painful.
Was so looking forward to you finally meeting Joe. You are a rare combination of gifts, and full of inspiration. So glad, so proud, so honored to have shared your big anniversary. God delights in you! Thank you all-inclusively. Thanking God the years I walked with you, accompanied you. Thanking God for everyone who loved, cared, and nurtured and cherished you in and throughout your life journey.
It would help to know how you departed our beloved terra firma. Please give greetings to our mutual beloved departed friends…. xoxo 🙏 💕 🦋🌈
I love you, my dear sister, and I hope you are with me at all times when I reach God’s loving arms….as we are all but one spirit, as you taught me every single day of the
time I was given with you. You were here, for a REASON, a Season, and a LIFETIME.
I love you in all the ways God taught YOU to teach me and Father taught you to teach me…you left me with a light brighter than it was before you entered my world of sorrow and despair.
I will always always say your prayer you left with me, and I do this to HONOR you.
You, who will always be “perfs”in every way…. and no YOU are the stronger one. YOU deserve the honor, the everlasting JOY you said God has promised us.
I miss you so much, yet you are here…..But, I let you go, as one must, we do not hold our loved ones, our spirit ones, here in this world for selfish reasons. I know you
must have gone because you HAD to, and I do not question why. I question as you know I do all things, everything, every mystery, every secret, everything we are “taught”and as you and I sat here many times and watched A Dog’s Purpose by Laurie Anderson, you and I both understood and learned…..Our relationship was based on mutual respect, but I felt that I never quite lived up to your rightfully earned status I HOLD you in with the Lord…we all undergo varying degrees of sufferings….as you so sagely explained, and you used to say, “NO, it is YOU who teach me.” Well if this is deemed the IMPROPER forum for this , I apologize, but Not one soul will take away from ME my experience of having you in my life. Your healing saved Me. I thank you from the bottom of my “heart,” O special one. Lady Margaret, Go in Peace….Go with Christ…”The wounds this world left on my soul Will all be healed and I’ll be whole…Sun and Moon will be replaced, with the Light of Jesus’Face…And I will not be ashamed for my Saviour Knows my Name”
Margie was a very special person in my life, one I won’t ever forget. She was kind and gentle with aspirituality beyond words. I will miss your hugs upon greeting and I’m sending one toyou as you begin yet another journey. May you find peace and love anew. Janet
Margie sensed the true good in life, and then shared it as a sage. She was more inclined to make change than to challenge what she could not change. I never could go wrong knowing her way of life. Good bless you Margie, I will never forget you. Dale Bailey, Western Wisconsiin.
Dear Chris & Maryann, I send my deepest condolences to the two of you for the sudden & unexpected passing of your dear sister Margie. It’s hard to say what is easier, a sudden loss or a long drawn out illness. Certainly for Margie, suddenly means less suffering.
I can’t remember if I’ve met you? I’ve known Margie since the early ‘70s. We worked in the same nursing home for a while and she was on hand (as God would have it) to support me the day (timidly) I went to HR to change my W4 to declare zero taxes to be taken out of my pay for war tax resistance. Margie always lived below the poverty line for that reason. Yes, a Catholic Worker to the bone. Margie read a lesson at Ray’s & my wedding in 1985. She was at the birth of our first child in 1989. She wrote, in a letter to your parents, a beautiful description of the labor and Adrian’s first moments outside the womb, snuggled by his dad. She later sent me the letter itself, having gone through your mom’s belongings after her death. I have so many memories of moments with my friend Margie over the years. We had some conflicts because she was such a hermit at heart, and after she moved away from Worcester I wanted to go visit her more often. I am very sad to lose her, and at the same time have a sense of peace about her. Looks like I could write a book about her, but I will stop here. May your healing of her loss be what it needs to be, and your memories of your sister grow in preciousness.
My wish is that Margie is with Mother Earth and Father Sky and that she is at peace. She was a calming spirit in my life. Like others have said, when she asked how I was, I knew she cared and listened to the response with her whole heart. I will always carry her spirit with me.
We loved Margie and her peaceful spirit. George knew her better, but she was always giving him gifts for me, I’ll never forget how she called me his “beloved”. I wish I would have known. I wish I could have done something. You were a beautiful soul, someone I aspired to be like. We love you, Margie. Denise & George
Margie, I feel such a loss knowing I won’t see your smiling face. What an honor to be with you. I miss you and your dear heart. I had waited for an opportunity expecting see you again not knowing you had slipped away from our grasp. I know the Universe is happy to celebrate your presence. Love and joy to you Margie. MaryJane
Celebrating the life of Margie on this day of her birth. As I walked during the early morning awakening in Nature; I scattered some rose petals in her memory. I celebrate her life; she lives on in my heart.
Dearest Mary Ann & Christine,
I just now learned of the passing of your sister and my dear friend. I sent her happy birthday wishes on face book today only to discover that she had moved on to heaven.
I am in shock. I had a lovely visit with her last summer at the Bakery Reunion. I am so sorry for your loss. What a true treasure Margie was. I had no idea that she was having any issues with her health as she never spoke of them. May she rest in peace and now join all those folks that she so dearly missed.
Kathy Kearney
Dear Mary Ann! I am still reeling from seeing the FB news of your sister’s death at a time a couple wks ago when I had wanted to call her, & came to realize it would be more than our usual “long distance” reunion…From all these comments, I realize more & more how deeply she was loved, by those whom she deeply loved… I have always treasured Margie’s unique gifts of heart/soul & mind_ with which I feel certain she, Grandma Bigham, your Mom, Dad & Pat will continue to bless you_ & our world… My sincerest, deepest condolences.
🙏🏻🕯🕊❤️
😱 My comment originally included you, Christine…
Am so sorry you got lost in my editing_ “operator error”!
So sorry to hear of Margaret’s passing. I thought of her yesterday when I drove past the family home remains on West Lake Road, Canandaigua. I knew Margaret through friends, and got to know her parents Art and Mary. The only remains of the family home are a peace pole and a painted stone memorial for Gabriel Alderman Farren (1985-1994). Rest in peace. I am third.
RIP dear sweet friend !!!!
Aunt Margie,
I have just come across this site and am lying in bed with tears streaming down my face.
I will never ever forget when you picked me up in your pickup truck and took me to the horse farm for the weekend, just the two of us, and taught me to ride.
I’ll never forget when you showed me how to weave in your huge loom (not that I learned how, but I remember your deft fingers and movements and all of that beautiful, pungent yarn.)
I’ll never forget how you showed me a lamb being born, and all the lambs you put into my arms when I was a child.
I’ll never forget how you helped take care of Gabe as he was I’ll and dying, and my dad, and Gramma Mary.
I’ll never forget how you helped baptize Baby Patrick with blessed water from the lake.
I’ll never forget the barn and Grammas and how you’d always leave notes and treasures in our clubhouse mailboxes.
I’ll never forget your decades of sobriety, words of blessing and God, steadfastness, humor, warms hugs, good smell- God I love you.
May you be with Gabe, Pat, Gramma and Grandpa and Father Robert. Please keep looking over us and be out of pain ❤️❤️❤️
March 22, 2021
Margie,
My sweet, wild, deep and amazing sister, I love you.
I found the postcard you left in your desk drawer.
“When you come to the edge of all you know, you must believe in one of two things,
there will be earth upon which to stand, or you will be given wings.” ANONYMOUS
Every day, going forward, I am going to will myself to remember – with joy, – to celebrate your wings…
I only ask that you continue to walk alongside me on this earth upon which I must now stand…
Chris
Margie, thinking of you…
“Sometimes I wonder “What if…?” Most of the time I don’t. Most of the time, I’m just glad to sit at the end of the day and remember. And sometimes the memories are sad, and sometimes happy. And sometimes into the quiet of the remembering there comes a song, a voice, that sings of constancy and faithfulness and longings.” And sometimes there comes a poem…
Love, Chris
ROADS
“No need to wonder what
heron-haunted lake
lay in the other valley,
or regret the songs in the
forest I chose not to traverse.
No need to ask where other
roads may have led,
since they led elsewhere;
for nowhere but
this here and now
is my true destination.
The river is gentle
in the soft evening,
and all the steps of my life
have led me home.”
(by Ruth Bidgood)