Obituary of Maureen Margaret Farrar

Maureen Margaret Farrar nee McGrath passed away on the morning of January 9, 2021.  Maureen was born on January 10, 1931, the daughter of M. Francis and Alice (Gallagher) McGrath in Lowell Massachusetts, and grew up in nearby Dracut Massachusetts.

Maureen met her husband Frank Raeburn (Rae) Farrar and was happily married for over 60 years.  Maureen and Rae had three children:  Bruce (wife: Carol), Kevin (wife: Gail), and Colleen (husband: Brad) and four grandchildren: Braeden and Jonathan Wist, Jacob and Thomas Farrar.  Her husband Rae passed away in 2017.

Maureen is survived by her sister, Kathy (McGrath) Garvey of Dracut MA, and a sister-in-law, Ann McGrath of Hamden CT, as well as many nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her brothers – Maurice, John, Robert, and Richard—and her sister – Elizabeth (McGrath) White.

Maureen lived a long and happy life, spending time with family and friends.  Having travelled with Rae for a while, the couple settled in Virginia and established their roots in Sterling Va, where they raised their three children for many years.  Maureen managed the Northern Virginia Community College – Loudoun Campus bookstore for many years.  She was active in local community events and groups as well.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial ceremony is being planned for late spring or early summer 2021.  Maureen will be interred alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.

Always focusing on her family, both immediate and extended, Maureen was a supporter of American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org), both Rae and her sister Liz suffered from diabetes.  She also provided assistance when she could for her grand nephew, Greyson, who suffers from Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB) (www.cure-eb.org/about-eb/what-is-eb/).

For those that would like to donate to any of these causes in her honor, you can donate to the American Diabetes Association at Diabetes.org.  You can also send donations to assist in Greyson’s care to his family, c/o Kathie Monoxelos, 35 Robbins Ave, Unit 43, Dracut, MA, 01826, or by Venmo, @Kathie-Monoxelos.