On Wednesday December 11th, 2019, Dorothy Graham Farnell, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away at the age of 85. Dorothy was born on December 26th, 1933 as the eldest child to George Doyle and Theresa Babcock Graham with brothers, George “Bill” and Joe, and sister Cynthia.
Dorothy lived a full life, touching the lives of many along the way. From a young age, Dorothy had a passion for playing piano. She eventually began giving piano lessons to local students and even her grandchildren. She also tutored many of her grandchildren and taught in the private sector at St. Katherine's and in the public sector at Lakeshore Elementary as a kindergarten teacher for many years. She was married to Harold Farnell. She raised 7 boys; Terry, Paul, Louis, Donny, Ronny, Robert, and Kenneth. She graduated from Centenary College with a degree in education as an active sorority member. Dorothy devoted her life to her family, her Catholic faith, and to teaching children. She truly found her life’s work in teaching kindergarten and giving piano lessons.
Dorothy is the matriarch of her large family. She was known for many wonderful characteristics including her strong faith, love of music and cinema, gift-giving, words of wisdom, and compassion. She was an inspiration to everyone she encountered and will be missed tremendously by many.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her father, George, her mother, Theresa, her brothers, Bill and Joe, and her sons, Terry and Donny. She is survived by her sister, Cynthia Johnson, her sons, David Paul, Louis and wife Terry, Robert, Ronny and wife Roxanne, and Kenneth and wife Adriane, her 19 grandchildren, and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dorothy’s visitation will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home from 6:00 - 8:00pm this Friday, December 13, 2019.
Her funeral service will be held in the Chapel at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home at 1:00pm this Saturday December 14, 2019.