Cynthia A. McFarlane

Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late John and Matilda (Byrne) McFarlane. She attended Lynn Public Schools and was a graduate of Lynn English High School. She later graduated from Salem State University Class of 1959 and then obtained her Masters Degree in Education from Northeastern University.

Cynthia worked in the Lynn school system for 36 years from 1963 – 1999; the first 17 years as a teacher and the last nineteen years as a principal. She loved all of her student, genuinely cared about them, and followed their progress even after they left her school. She had a way of making everyone feel as if they were special. She taught at Breed Elementary and the Highland School and one of the highlights of her life was being appointed principal of the Brickett Elementary School.

As great as she was as an educator, she was an even better sister and aunt. She made every niece and nephew feel as if they were her favorite. She never missed a birthday, graduation, holiday or special event—she was always there, beaming with pride. Cynthia often took trips with her sister, Janet, visiting her nieces and nephews in New Hampshire. Since her retirement she has enjoyed many vacations and adventures with her niece, Cheryl and her boys, Sean, Rafe and Finn—going to spring training in Florida, annual trips to New York to see the Rockettes, and many outings to the Swan Boats or the MFA. Cynthia enjoyed her time in Naples Florida where she often received visits from Doug and Jim McLean and the Sullivans. She lived a single life but was never lonely. She was fully involved in the lives of family and friends, and worried more about everyone else than herself. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her because she touched the hearts of everyone she met.

Cynthia was a lifelong member of St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church. She was also a member of the Daughters of Scotia, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Lynn Teachers Union, Local 1037. For many years, she served on the Board of The Friends of the School of Education at Salem State University.

She leaves her sister and best friend, Janet McLean of Lynn and one brother, Robert McFarlane and his wife, Sue, of Lynn. She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Cheryl Sullivan and her husband Ross, Doug McLean and his wife Teresa, Jim McLean, John McLean and his wife Nina, Robert McLean and his wife Jennifer, Andrew McLean and his wife Debra, Rebecca Duff and her late husband Jim, Stephen McFarlane and his wife Karen, Victoria McGowan and her husband Billy and Amanda McFarlane. She also leaves her grandnieces and grandnephews, Liz McLean, Arianna McLean, Jessie McLean, Chrissy McLean, Caitlin O’Hara, Sean Sullivan, Rafe Sullivan, Reilly McLean, Jack McLean, Molly McLean, Finn Sullivan, Matthew Duff, James Duff, Cooper McFarlane, Samantha McGowan and Brooke McFarlane.

Cynthia’s Funeral will be held from the CUFFE-MCGINN FUNERAL HOME, 157 Maple St. Lynn on Friday at 10:00AM followed by a Funeral Service in St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church at 11:00AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Pine Grove Cemetery. Visiting Hours Thursday 5-8PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent to the Salem State University Alumni Association, 352 Lafayette St. Salem, MA 01970.