Avis Farwell

FALMOUTH — Avis E. Farwell died peacefully at Legacy Memory Care in Falmouth on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 at the age of 100.
She was born Jan. 25, 1914 in Troy, the daughter of Fred G. Ward and Ethel Hunt Ward. She grew up on a small dairy farm in Unity with two younger brothers and often took a horse and buggy to school. She graduated from Unity High School and Farmington Normal School, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. After teaching for a short time at Unity Plantation, she married her high school sweetheart William Farwell in 1936. After two years in Buckfield, they moved to Cumberland, where Bill taught at Greely Institute. Soon thereafter, they moved to Falmouth, where they raised their three children. After substituting for a few years, Avis began her Home Economics teaching career at Falmouth Junior High School. She taught for 17 years and retired in 1971.
Avis was a lifelong member of the Falmouth Congregational Church and a member and Past Chief of the Pythian Sisters of Falmouth #100. She enjoyed the Saturday night dances at the Knights of Pythias, bowling with friends, playing bridge, and car trips. After retirement, Bill and Avis spent many winters in Florida, and she became a pro in shuffleboard, and won many awards. During these years, they also traveled to Alaska, England, France, Iceland, and Germany. Avis’ interests included knitting, sewing, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, gardening and Spider Solitaire. In her last few months at Legacy Memory Care, one could always find her engrossed in her word find puzzles. One of her favorite sayings was, “Been there, done that!”
Avis was predeceased by her husband William Farwell in May 2009 after 72 years of marriage; and by her brothers, Stanley Ward and Ralph Ward.
She is survived by her children, Brian Farwell of Phillips, Martha Peterson of Mount Vernon, Wash. and Deborah Auclair of Cumberland; her seven grandchildren including Susan Bachand of Casco; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Avis and Bill lived in the Oceanview Retirement community for 16 years until his death.
Services and burial at the Blanchard Cemetery will be held in the spring. Please visit  www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Avis and to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.
For those who wish, donations may be made in Avis’ memory to:  Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 170 US Route One, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105, or  Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Maine Affiliate, P.O. Box 126, Bangor, ME 04402-1626.