Winifred Farrell

Winifred Theresa Marie Sieger Farrell died peacefully in her home on April 27, 2014 at the age of 87 surrounded by her husband of 63 years and her large family. Winifred was a selfless woman who together with Joe raised seven children. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph B. Farrell and children: Joe Farrell of Lewes, Delaware, Bob Farrell (Michelle) of Bellevue, Kentucky, Rose Hammell of Parkersburg, West Virginia and Mary (John) Rosenfeldt, Tom (Ginny) Farrell, Chris Farrell (LeAnn) and Theresa Farrell all of Cincinnati. She was a loving grandmother to many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Winifred Sieger and her two brothers, Robert and Gerald Sieger and one grandson, Reed Farrell and two infant granddaughters, Katherine and Stephanie.Family was of paramount importance to her. Throughout her life, she would always bring her family together for every occasion. When her health prevented her from being the host, then her sons and daughters carried on this rich tradition. She was the great communicator who still called her family and friends on the phone as well as sending cards, notes and e-mails of encouragement, and when there were prayers needed, she got the prayer wheels rolling with all of her family and friends to help others in need.She was a devout member of Guardian Angels Parish in Cincinnati for 47 years. She attended daily mass and volunteered for countless charities, including school volunteer, twinning mission work and leadership of the Peanut Butter Ministry a group that provides food for those in need in Over the Rhine. Winifred was born on April 16, 1927 in Bronx, New York where she attended parochial schools. She was a bright, young girl who skipped a grade because of her prowess in the classroom. She graduated in 1947 from the College of New Rochelle in New York as a math major and soon secured a job at AT&T. She was always involved in church activities, and as a young graduate, she was elected President of the Supreme Council of Sodalities of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the entire City of New York. One of her official duties during her four-year term was to crown a statue of the Blessed Virgin at World Sodality Day. The Days were held at Fordham University and attended by 35,000 to 45,000 sodalists and friends. On New Years Day, 1949 she met her husband to be on a blind date set up by two mutual friends. Joe often took Win downtown in New York to restaurants and plays, but their dates were always during the week. Win thought Joe may have had a girl on the side because of his aversion to weekends, but it was Joe trying to avoid the crowds (and maybe the expense) of New York on the weekends. Win and Joe married on May 5, 1951. They moved the wedding up several months so that Win s mother, who was suffering from cancer, could attend. Win and Joe lived in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as they had seven children together. They decided to move to Cincinnati when Joe left the professorial ranks at Manhattan College and decided to do research for water pollution with the EPA. Win s best friend and cousin, Pat Shore, and her family of six children also lived in Cincinnati so Win was thrilled with the move. Win and Joe spent the next 47 years of their lives in the same house and in the same parish as they raised their children.The last several years have been very painful for Win. She was in constant pain but never complained. When asked how she dealt with the pain, she would say, I am offering it up to the Lord . Three years ago, Win wrote her family and friends the following, I have led a very happy and fulfilled life due to my family and friends. I am not leaving yet, but I wanted all to know that I am bequeathing my body to University of Cincinnati College of Medicine for research purposes. I love you all with undying love and as St. Theresa of the Little Flower is said to have done, I will spend my Heaven sending roses to bless you always .Win had one more lesson for her family. The person who had always given to all and never asked a favor from anyone had one request. She wanted to die in her home. Her seven children set a shared schedule and began the 24-hour vigil to assist their mom. After six months, the family did not know how they would continue to cope. Linda Parker, a recently retired nurse, was the answer to their prayers. Joe hired her to help daily Monday-Friday while the family staffed most nights, evening and weekends. The children learned how to serve their mother as she had served them for so many years. After eight months, Win passed away peacefully in her home. Once more, she had taught her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren about what it really means to be a family. It was her last lesson for her family, to give back and to serve as she had done so many years for all of them. Memorial Mass followed by a reception will be on May 10, 2014 at 10:30 am at Guardian Angels Church, 6531 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45230. If desired, memorial donations may be sent to Guardian Angels Church Peanut Butter Group.