HUDSON FALLS – Mary Gilmore MacFarran, 100, one week shy of 101, of Hudson Falls, peacefully passed into the arms of the Lord on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, surrounded by her loving family at her side.
Born on April 4, 1916, in Welch Hollow, Fort Ann, she was the daughter of the late George and Atsa Gilmore. Mary was a mother of four, a grandmother of eight, a great grandmother of 17, and a great great grandmother of nine.
She met her beloved husband through a friend and married at the age of 17. In the beginning of their marriage, they ran a farm in Schuylerville that was haunted. The story of their ghost experiences was published by David Pitkin. They moved to Hudson Falls a few years later and started their own business on Route 4. She worked very hard caring for her children and grandchildren. Mary enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, gardening, traveling, playing cards and board games, billiards, bowling, fishing in the South Bay of Lake Champlain and watching NASCAR.
She was very active in her community. Mary took part in 4-H, volunteering at the Washington County Fair, the ARC, and belonged to Grange, senior citizens and loved participating and volunteering her time at the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church.
Her family and friends were everything to her and she rarely missed a function to support them. She was an inspiration, was very strong, kind, caring and loving. Mary touched the lives of many, even up to her last day. She never dwelled on the negative. Her motto was to forgive and forget, each day is a new beginning.
Mary was predeceased by her parents; her father passed away when she was nine and her mother when she was 16. Her husband, Donald MacFarran, her daughters, Janet Martindale and Ilene Hartung, her grandson, Roger Martindale, her great granddaughter, Brooke Martindale, and her brothers, David and Calvin Gilmore, also passed away before her.
Survivors include her children, Gweneth MacFarran and Wayne MacFarran; her son in law, Robert Hartung; her grandchildren, Mark (Susan) Martindale, Steve (Erin) Martindale, Susan (Tammy) Coleman, Scott (Margaret) Hartung, Lisa (David) Doster, Chris (Jennifer) MacFarran and Emily (Brian) Fitzgerald; 16 great grandchildren; nine great great grandchildren; as well as the many dear friends that were considered like family, Terry Gould, Patty Stoy, and Mary Jo Taylor.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Fort Hudson Health Care Facility for the excellent care, the loving hands and the positive support given to Mary during her stay.
Friends may call on Friday, March 31, 2017 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m., following the calling hours on Friday, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Derek Hansen, pastor of the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church, officiating.
Burial will be later in the spring at Moss Street Cemetery in the town of Kingsbury.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church, 227 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.
