Carolyn Fisher McFarland

June 14, 2016 Last Updated: June 14, 2016 01:00 PM Death Notice

Carolyn Fisher McFarland of New Castle passed away Thursday in her home with her family beside her from a long courageous battle with cancer. She was 81.

Carolyn was born March 25, 1935, in New Castle to Vernon and Alda Fisher.

She graduated from Portersville High School in 1953.

In 1957 she graduated from Westminster College with a degree in business education.

Carolyn taught at Union Area High School and New Castle Business College. She finished her teaching career at the Seneca Valley School District and retired in 2005.

On Aug. 31, 1957, she married James Kenneth McFarland at Westminster College, New Wilmington.

She was an active member of the Northminster Presbyterian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, a worship committee member and a deacon.

She was a past president of PEO (Professional Educators Organization).

Carolyn was a member of a bridge club, a garden club and a book club. She was an avid reader and enjoyed quilting, gardening, walking and traveling throughout the United States to visit family and friends.

Survivors include her two children, Julie L. (Art) Shambaugh of Sandy Lake, Pa., and Jeffrey J. (Diane) McFarland of Round Hill, Va.; one brother, Richard V. Fisher of Portersville; one sister, Betty Jane McKean of Butler; five grandchildren, Lyndsey (Brad) Bell, Amy (Eric) Elmquist, Cory Doutrich, Paige McFarland and Chad McFarland; and three great-grandchildren, Marissa Bell, Caylee Bell and Halsten Elmquist.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, James, of 35 years, who passed away in 1992; her parents; a sister-in-law; and a niece.

MCFARLAND — Visitation for Carolyn Fisher McFarland, who died May 12, 2016, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.A funeral service will take place immediately following visitation at 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Andrew Jillson of the Northminster Presbyterian Church officiating.Burial will be in Mount Hermon Cemetery.Online condolences may be offered at www.cunninghamfh.com.