Mary Bradford McFarlin

Born: 10/4/1919 Died: 7/11/2012 Mrs. Mary Bradford McFarlin, age 92, of Newark, DE, passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Mrs. McFarlin was a native Delawarean, born in Wilmington on October 4, 1919, daughter of the late William Bradford and Pauline McCorkindale Bradford. She was raised in Wilmington and graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1937, where she was active with the Leaders Corps. In 1941, she received her bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Delaware. A member of Newark United Methodist Church, Mrs. McFarlin participated in Mrs. Wilson’s Bible Class for many years and had been a Girl Scout leader for the church’s troop. She was a member of the Newark Senior Center, the Home Demonstration Club, the Gourmet Cooking Club, the Bridge Club, the Mahjong Club, and the Canasta Club. She also had a keen interest in genealogy and served as the historian for the Mayflower Society. Mrs. McFarlin was a gifted homemaker throughout her life and so excelled in crochet, knitting, and needlecraft that she was invited to teach sewing at the University of Delaware in the 1960s. She was also a talented painter and organist. A gifted athlete from her youth, Mrs. McFarlin remained active in her later years and took first place honors in racquetball in the US Senior Olympics. She enjoyed synchronized swimming, water aerobics, and tennis as well. An avid traveler, Mrs. McFarlin looked forward to annual family camping trips when her children were young and taking cruises during her retirement years. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Samuel E. McFarlin III, in 1998. She is survived by her children, Margaret “Pegi” Slack of Bonita Springs, FL, Linda M. Moore (David) of Bear, Samuel “Eddie” McFarlin IV (Marie) of Bear, and Judy A. Walls (Jay) of Middletown; half-brothers, Ed Bradford (Mary) of Texas, and Bill Bradford of Newark; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and a great great granddaughter. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, July 16, 2012, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, where visitation will begin at 10 am. Interment will follow in Wilmington & Brandywine Cemetery, 701 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. McFarlin may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 702 B Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805.