Marie Townsend McFarland

SPANISH FORT Marie Townsend McFarland of Spanish Fort, Alabama, passed away September 15, 2010. Mrs. McFarland was born in Mobile June 15, 1923, the only daughter of Alexis and Gertrude Townsend.  She attended Murphy High School where she was a regular performer in musical presentations and she graduated from Brenau College, Gainesville, Georgia with a Bachelor of Music degree.  As a vocal artist Mrs. McFarland continued her studies at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester and sang two seasons with the Metropolitan Opera in New Your City before returning to Mobile where she met and married D. H. McFarland on June 1, 1945.  She and Mac made their home in Birmingham for many years where Marie continued her musical accomplishments as a pianist, vocalist and teacher while raising her family.  She was very active in the Birmingham Music Club and performed regularly with the Birmingham Symphony Chorus, was active in theater arts and served faithfully in her church choirs for many years.  Her husband's career moved them to Pennsylvania and Texas.  In 1990, Mrs. McFarland and her husband retired to Montrose, Alabama and eventually spent the last seven years together with their daughter in Spanish Fort. Mrs. McFarland was predeceased by her husband D. H. earlier in the year.  She is survived by her three children and their spouses,  Mr. Donald H. McFarland and his wife Claudia of Wilmington, Delaware, Rev. Arnold T. McFarland and his wife Dale of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Priscilla McFarland Cure and her husband Michael of Spanish Fort, Alabama.  Additionally, Mrs. McFarland was very proud of her eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  Graveside services for Mrs. McFarland will be held at Montrose Cemetery, Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 28788 North Main Street, Daphne, Alabama 36526. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 27409 U. S. HIGHWAY 98 DAPHNE, AL  36526