Obituary of Marcia Farrell

Marcia E. Farrell (nee Vaughn), 90, of Todt Hill, died surrounded by family at her daughter’s home on August 22, 2020. Born on Staten Island, Marcia grew up in West Brighton, graduated from Curtis High School in 1948 and attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Marcia was married to the love of her life, Donald H. Farrell, for 48 years until his passing in 2008. Marcia was a life long member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and as a soprano, shared her angelic voice as a member of the choir for over 80 years. Marcia served as Eucharistic Minister, Directress of the Altar Society, member of the Vestry, chairperson of the St. Mary’s Fair, and was named a church Trustee. Marcia served as a Sunday School teacher for many years, and enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School as recently as 2016. Marcia volunteered her time and talents to various organizations, serving as an officer of the PTAs at P.S. 11, Egbert Junior High School and New Dorp High School where her five children attended school. Marcia was involved in Little League, Boy Scouts, and Historic Richmond Town, and was a member of the Richmond Choral Society, the King’s Daughters service organization, Order of the Eastern Star and the Women’s Auxiliary of UMDNJ in Newark. Marcia was a regular visitor to Clove Lakes and Carmel Richmond Nursing Homes and the hospitals on Staten Island, to cheer those who were ill. Marcia maintained a twice-daily email blog that started as a daily communication among widowed friends and grew to a broad distribution of family and friends spanning multiple generations all over the world, through which she shared daily bible verses, historical events and inspirational stories. Marcia often encouraged her readers to share a smile with passers-by, especially when the weather was dreary. All who received it looked forward to her musings and were cheered by her positive outlook, and all who knew her were inspired by her energy and spirit. Marcia also enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, gardening and loved spending time with her family, especially at their home in the Adirondacks. Marcia was predeceased by her beloved husband Donald H. Farrell, parents George and Claire Vaughn, and sister Janice Burbank, and is survived by her children, Marion Schmitt (John Schmitt), Donna Farrell-Wilson (William Wilson), Louise Farrell-Schiela (John Schiela), Elizabeth Pallone (Daniel Pallone) and Harry Farrell, her grandchildren Caroline, Lauren, Phillip (Tess) and Kenneth Schmitt, Emma, Meaghan, Elizabeth and Jacqueline Wilson, Abigail Bukowski (Andrew), Jacob and Katy Schiela, Daniel and Julia Pallone, her great grandson John Schmitt, her sister Suzanne Bergen and many loving nieces and nephews. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, viewing and funeral will be private. A Celebration of Life service will be planned in the future. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message for the family please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com . Contributions in Marcia’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 347 Davis Ave. Staten Island, NY 10310 www.stmarycastleton.org/donate