Elsa MacFarland

Elsa MacFarland died peacefully in her sleep on August 29th, 2012 at the age of 95. Elsa was one of nine children, born in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, on February 26th, 1917, to Albert and Matilda Lippert. She was married to William Bruno MacFarland on August 21, 1933, who passed away in 1995.

She is survived by her daughter/godchild Karen Elizabeth Self; her grandchildren Rebecca Ann Self and Katy Elizabeth Self; godchildren Ray Nile Burman and Suzanne Elsa Hagren; her sister Esther Heller; and many nieces and nephews.

Elsa, even at 95, had a brilliant memory and a passion for life. Energetic and ambitious, Elsa accumulated many hobbies throughout her lifetime. Her green thumb produced beautiful gardens bursting with lively colors and fresh vegetables, which found their way to vases on the table and canned food on the shelf. Hanging amidst the flowers and trees that consumed her backyard was a Hummingbird feeder. Although a lover of many birds, Elsa found particular beauty in the Hummingbird. She also enjoyed the frequent visits of the neighborhood cats on her back porch.

Elsa and Mac had a soft heart for children. Each Halloween they created individual bags of full sized candy bars, stickers, Cracker Jacks and various knick knacks for all the costumed kids who rang their doorbell. Elsa never forgot a birthday and was eager to celebrate the holidays with her family. Her "rolled foil" will never be forgotten.

An expert at crossword puzzles, Elsa effortlessly completed one each day. She also had a love of books, especially Chicken Soup for the Baseball Lover's Soul. Elsa loved baseball and once traveled to Seattle to watch her favorite player, Ichiro Suzuki, in a Mariner's game. Her family knew her love of the game and gave her a Mariner's jersey, which delighted her.

Anyone who was blessed with her presence has heard countless stories of her life from childhood to old age: Her childhood home without plumbing; her brother's crystal radios; her synchronized swimming days; the silent films she would watch at her grade school: her years of working at Van Duyn Chocolates and numerous stories about 'growing up'. After visiting her at home, she'd always stand at the front window; waving goodbye and blowing two handed kisses. Her love for others was contagious.

There are few people that make such an impact on the world as Elsa did. Her stubbornness pulled her through and her love of life kept her going. She will be greatly missed, forever remembered, and always loved.

Graveside service will be September 10, 2012 at 11:00 am at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon.

Arrangements by Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, Oregon.