- Winnipeg Free Press Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
MARY JOSEPHINE (MARY JO) FARRELL
Born: Nov 27, 1941
Date of Passing: Jun 20, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMARY JOSEPHINE (MARY JO) FARRELL Mary Josephine "Mary Jo" Farrell Halifax, passed away on Friday morning, June 20, 2014 peacefully in Halifax, surrounded by her children. Mary Jo was born in De Pere, Wisconsin on November 27, 1941 to Roland and Frances Lee, and became older sister to Elizabeth "Liz" two years later. Mary Jo attended St. Norbert College where she received a Bachelor of Arts in 1963. She moved to Nova Scotia in 1968, where she worked as a teacher and raised three children. After earning a Masters of Psychology from Mount St. Vincent University, she moved to Manitoba in 1983 where she worked in the school system as a psychologist for the next twenty-nine years. Guided by her strong affinity for the sea, friends, and family, Mary Jo subsequently returned to Halifax in 2012, fulfilling a life-long retirement goal. Her love of music was, in particular, fostered through choral singing. In Winnipeg she was devoted to the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir for which she was an avid singer and organizer. Mary Jo's other hobbies included playing with her grandchildren, reading mysteries, jigsaw puzzles, walking, knitting, and solving crosswords. Mary Jo was a good friend to many and a wonderful mother to her three children, Mark (Elizabeth); Tim (Alexandra) and Fran (Anders) and a loving grandmother of Jack, Ryan, Matthew and Allyson. Details of a private celebration of her life will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.ca), or giving blood to Canadian Blood Services (http://www.blood.ca). Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting, www.walkerfh.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2014
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
-
I knew Mary Jo through her work with our practicum students from the University of Manitoba. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with her. She had passion for life and such care for students. Her compassion was such a great model and she was a tireless advocate for students. I will always be grateful to have had her as a peer. My deepest condolences. - Posted by: Janine Montgomery (Colleague ) on: Sep 19, 2014
-
I have many fond memories of Mary Jo, as both a friend and colleague. She shared her kind and giving nature with all around her. I know of many parents who had diapers or groceries thanks to Mary Jo's generosity. We missed her in Winnipeg when she moved to Halifax, yet we knew she needed to be closer to her family. My sympathies to the family. We will miss you Mary Jo - Posted by: Cheryl Proceviat Ganes (Friend and colleague) on: Jun 27, 2014
-
I worked with Mary Jo for several years and was happy to know her as a friend as well as a professional. She was fiercely intelligent, had a delightful sense of humour and was a wonderful storyteller. I smile as I think of our shared laughs over a glass of wine and regret I wasn't able to take her up on her offer to show me Halifax and introduce her family which she spoke of so often and was clearly so proud. - Posted by: Monique Gendre (colleague and friend) on: Jun 27, 2014
-
Knowing Mary-Jo was a privilege. She was a woman of many talents. Mary-Jo had a way of engaging people and making them feel special. She was a warm and giving soul, but she also possessed great strength and determination. We shared our work with children at the Clinic and our love of singing with "The Phil". I will miss her cheerful nature and her radiance, which shines through in the picture that was chosen to print. MJ, "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." Wm. Shakespeare - Posted by: Jessica Kowall (Work colleague, fellow chorister, long-time friend) on: Jun 26, 2014
-
Mary Jo was such a very special lady who always spoke well of everyone she met and who knew how to open doors for others to expand their unique talents and gifts. Mary Jo did this from the kindness of her heart which you could feel just by being in her presence. Mary Jo opened the doors for us to be part of the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir for which we will always be very thankful. As so many others, we will greatly miss talking and being with such a very wonderful and blessed lady. - Posted by: George and Bettina Nyman (Very good friends) on: Jun 24, 2014
-
I worked with Mary Jo as a school psychologist. She was a kind and caring woman who was always smiling. She had a positive energy about her. I am happy that she got to go back to Halifax for the last two years. She spoke fondly of the east coast and her family often. The news of her passing has saddened all of us. - Posted by: Jill Heater (work colleague) on: Jun 24, 2014
-
I was very saddened to hear that Mary Jo had passed away. She was a lovely person and a kind, thoughtful person. We often shared the same delightful humour. My sympathies to the family. Nancy Dyck - Posted by: Nancy Dyck (former co-worker) on: Jun 23, 2014
-
I am saddened to hear of Mary Jo's passing. I have known her since I started my career as a psychologist 11 years ago. She was always a kind encounter and good listener and always lifted one's spirits in conversation with her smile and positive outlook. Her absence is truly a loss, but I know she is has a special place wherever she is, up there. You will be missed, Mary Jo. Stephen Andrew - Posted by: Stephen Andrew (Friend/colleague - school psychologist) on: Jun 23, 2014
-
Mary Jo was always a positive force within the choir. It was her passion and her smile and grace were infectious. I have missed her at rehearsals since she moved in 2012 to be closer to her family. She will be missed and remembered fondly as someone with a great love and passion for the Phil. - Posted by: Glynis Corkal (Friend and co-chorister in the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir) on: Jun 23, 2014