1927 – 2015

FARMINGTON — Mary Farnum, 88, of Wilton, died peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Orchard Park Rehabilitation & Living Center.

Mary was born in Abbot on Aug. 4, 1927, a daughter of Ruel and Hazel (Mayo) Orff. She grew up in Wilton where she received her education and graduated from Wilton Academy. Mary worked as a telephone operator during World War II and later went on to attend Lasell College in Massachusetts. In June 1946, she married the love of her life, George A. Farnum Jr., and together they made their home in Wilton where they shared 68 years of marriage together.

Mary was a wonderful mother, homemaker and cook, and an excellent craftswoman. Her custard pies were heavenly. She made braided rugs and quilts, but her specialty was stencil-cut lampshades. She gave classes in lampshade-making and made many for gifts and sale. She was a partner in the Locomotive Gift Shop in the old train depot in Dryden, a popular shop selling crafted items in the 1980s. One of her favorite pastimes was playing contract bridge, at which she excelled, and she belonged to several local groups. She was an active member of the Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship for many years. She volunteered at area blood drives and gave her time for many local causes.

She resided at Orchard Park Rehabilitation Center for the last year and participated in many activities there. She especially liked the live musical performances. Many thanks to the staff there, who provided such great care and friendship.

She is survived by her children, Jan Webber and her husband, Fred, of Mt. Vernon, and Scott Farnum and his wife, Lynn Madden, of New Haven, Conn.; siblings, Helen Toothaker of Wilton, Reta Whinery and her friend, Barbara Black, of Wilton, Ruel (Rudy) Orff Jr. and his wife, Joyce, of Wilton, and Malcolm Orff of East Wilton; grandchildren, Dylan Farnum and his wife, Augusta Sparks Farnum, of Walla Walla, Wash.; Robinson Webber of Mt. Vernon, Lincoln Webber of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and step-granddaughter, Lauren Holloway and her husband, Joseph Holloway, of New Haven, Conn.; great-grandchildren, Grace O’Connell of Paris, France; Henry Farnum and Clementine Farnum of Walla Walla, Wash.; and step-great-grandchildren, Landon, Harper and Addison Holloway of New Haven, Conn.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, George “Pee-Wee” Farnum, in January 2015.

Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.