Obituary for Mary R. McFarland
Ellsworth and Bar Harbor
Mary E. (Rodick) McFarland passed away peacefully at NL Maine Coast Hospital, Ellsworth on March 26, 2024, at the age of 88 after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Bar Harbor on March 20, 1936, the daughter of Alfred E. and Viola B. (Staples) Rodick. She attended Bar Harbor High School and resided in Bar Harbor until 1987 when she bought a house in Ellsworth.
An extremely hard worker, Mary often juggled multiple jobs to support her five children. In spite of her busy schedule, she still found time to do fun things with her family, such as having cookouts at Bear Brook, swimming at Lakewood, and going for a Dairy Joy.
Mary worked overnights as a CNA at MDI Hospital for 9 years and at Maine Commercial Laundry. She was a popular server at a number of restaurants, including Bar Harbor Restaurant, Golden Anchor, Tripp’s, and the Rinehart at Wonderview. Over the years, she cleaned house for many local families.
She ended her work career as an evening custodian at the Jackson Lab. She treasured her many friends, including the ones she met through her various workplaces.
One of her grandchildren commented, “Nana was kind, generous, forgiving, selfless, funny, and fun to be around...She had so much positive energy and a genuinely caring, sweet soul.” Another one said, “Thank you, Nana, for inspiring me to be who I am today, always working hard to follow my dreams...You gave me the strength to never give up.” Her strong work ethic, sense of humor, positive attitude, acceptance, and kindness were an inspiration to all of her family and her many friends.
She enjoyed family gatherings, the 4th of July parade, band concerts, picnics, Beano, shopping, trips with her sisters and daughters to casinos, holiday celebrations, dining out, and visiting friends and family. She particularly loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, often traveling to their special events such as graduations, concerts, plays, birthdays, marriages, and so on.
Her survivors include her daughters Priscilla McFarland of Ellsworth, Diane Dill of Ellsworth and Dover-Foxcroft, as well as her sons Edward McFarland III of Southwest Harbor, William McFarland of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Michael McFarland of Ellsworth: her grandchildren Jonah Rounseville and his wife Christine of Ellsworth, Angela and Josh Dill of Laconia, NH, Justina Dill and her partner James Jackson of Dover-Foxcroft, Zachary Dill of Plymouth, NH, Mark McFarland and his partner Jamie Moores of Machiasport, Brooke Rounseville of Seal Harbor, and Kiersten Boyle and her husband Luke of Bucksport: great grandchildren Phebe and Oliver Dill-Marsten and two step great grandsons, Brett and Whyatt Bragdon: many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings, including Alfred Rodick of Georgetown, MA, Benjamin Rodick of Plantsville, CT, Viva Wilson of Elmira Heights, NY, Frances Gray of Northeast Harbor, Ruth Keyes of Bar Harbor and Big Pine Key, FL, and Jeanette Lanzillo of Lynn, MA. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law Howard Rounseville, her daughter-in-law Joy McFarland, and her ex-husband Teddy McFarland.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held later in the spring, and details will be announced. Interment will be at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the memory daycare Robert and Mary’s Place, P.O. Box 1533, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
The family wishes to thank the staff at her adult daycare program, her caregiver Cathy Stillwell, all of the staff at Maine Coast Hospital, Dr. Baxter and the nurses at Southwest Harbor Medical Center for her excellent care.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Mary E. (Rodick) McFarland passed away peacefully at NL Maine Coast Hospital, Ellsworth on March 26, 2024, at the age of 88 after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Bar Harbor on March 20, 1936, the daughter of Alfred E. and Viola B. (Staples) Rodick. She attended Bar Harbor High School and resided in Bar Harbor until 1987 when she bought a house in Ellsworth.
An extremely hard worker, Mary often juggled multiple jobs to support her five children. In spite of her busy schedule, she still found time to do fun things with her family, such as having cookouts at Bear Brook, swimming at Lakewood, and going for a Dairy Joy.
Mary worked overnights as a CNA at MDI Hospital for 9 years and at Maine Commercial Laundry. She was a popular server at a number of restaurants, including Bar Harbor Restaurant, Golden Anchor, Tripp’s, and the Rinehart at Wonderview. Over the years, she cleaned house for many local families.
She ended her work career as an evening custodian at the Jackson Lab. She treasured her many friends, including the ones she met through her various workplaces.
One of her grandchildren commented, “Nana was kind, generous, forgiving, selfless, funny, and fun to be around...She had so much positive energy and a genuinely caring, sweet soul.” Another one said, “Thank you, Nana, for inspiring me to be who I am today, always working hard to follow my dreams...You gave me the strength to never give up.” Her strong work ethic, sense of humor, positive attitude, acceptance, and kindness were an inspiration to all of her family and her many friends.
She enjoyed family gatherings, the 4th of July parade, band concerts, picnics, Beano, shopping, trips with her sisters and daughters to casinos, holiday celebrations, dining out, and visiting friends and family. She particularly loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, often traveling to their special events such as graduations, concerts, plays, birthdays, marriages, and so on.
Her survivors include her daughters Priscilla McFarland of Ellsworth, Diane Dill of Ellsworth and Dover-Foxcroft, as well as her sons Edward McFarland III of Southwest Harbor, William McFarland of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Michael McFarland of Ellsworth: her grandchildren Jonah Rounseville and his wife Christine of Ellsworth, Angela and Josh Dill of Laconia, NH, Justina Dill and her partner James Jackson of Dover-Foxcroft, Zachary Dill of Plymouth, NH, Mark McFarland and his partner Jamie Moores of Machiasport, Brooke Rounseville of Seal Harbor, and Kiersten Boyle and her husband Luke of Bucksport: great grandchildren Phebe and Oliver Dill-Marsten and two step great grandsons, Brett and Whyatt Bragdon: many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings, including Alfred Rodick of Georgetown, MA, Benjamin Rodick of Plantsville, CT, Viva Wilson of Elmira Heights, NY, Frances Gray of Northeast Harbor, Ruth Keyes of Bar Harbor and Big Pine Key, FL, and Jeanette Lanzillo of Lynn, MA. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law Howard Rounseville, her daughter-in-law Joy McFarland, and her ex-husband Teddy McFarland.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held later in the spring, and details will be announced. Interment will be at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the memory daycare Robert and Mary’s Place, P.O. Box 1533, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
The family wishes to thank the staff at her adult daycare program, her caregiver Cathy Stillwell, all of the staff at Maine Coast Hospital, Dr. Baxter and the nurses at Southwest Harbor Medical Center for her excellent care.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com