Jean O'Farrell - Obituary

n Sunday, June 8, 2014, Jean Ann Mullen O’Farrell, beloved wife, mother, friend, and a long time resident of Annapolis, Maryland. passed away peacefully at her home after an eleven month battle with cancer. Born on April 3, 1933 to John and Florence Mullen of Norwood, Massachusetts, Jean graduated from Boston College with a degree in nursing in 1955. She practiced nursing in Boston and New York City. An adventurous spirit she took a job as a flight attendant for TransOcean Airlines. A company owned by Howard Hughes, she flew with equally adventurous and sometimes daredevil former military pilots providing charter service to Europe and the Pacific. Upon her return to Salem, Mass, Jean taught Pharmacology at Beverly Hospital. On a star crossed night in March of 1961 she met a handsome Navy Ensign, James T. O’Farrell and married him 5 months later. Always progressive, she was one of the first American women to be guided by the Lamaze Method of Natural Childbirth. And so, in the early 1960’s, she gave birth to her and Jim’s four children. In 1974, following a dream she had held since high school, she attended the University of Maryland School of Social Work where she received her Masters of Social Work. Jean worked at the Crownsville Hospital and the Anne Arundel County Department of Mental Health before fulfilling her dream and moving into private practice in 1981. A compassionate, wise and clear-eyed therapist, she loved working with others. Jean was committed to the advancement of Social Work, mentoring many on their path in that field. She worked with clients until the week she was diagnosed in July 2013. Jean was devoted to and is survived by her family: her husband Jim; children Breeze O’Farrell, Elaine Saba, Jim O’Farrell, Jr., and Heather Corcoran; her sons-in-law Andrew Saba and Timothy Corcoran and daughter-in-law Christy O’Farrell; her grandchildren Trevor Buchanan, Conlan Buchanan, Aislinn Buchanan, Hannah Holt, Alec Holt, Kailey O’Farrell, Lauren O’Farrell, Jack Corcoran, Lily Corcoran, and Skye Saba; her brother John Mullen, her sisters Pat Klugherz and Susan Bolitzer, her nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Her family and friends learned to rely on her unfailing belief in them, her good advice, her friendship, and her love. She was a voracious reader, subscribing to multiple daily newspapers, current events magazines, and following scientific and professional journals. Her insatiable appetite for learning took her to quantum physics, green funerals, The Impressionists, and the prehistoric structures of the Stone Age. She always had a book to recommend and was perpetually on the lookout for a pertinent and helpful article to share; she particularly enjoyed discussing politics. She was an avid hiker climbing the mountains, hills, and dales of Europe, Turkey, Peru, and especially her own neighborhood. Jean was an adventurer who always came back delighting all with findings. Gardening and writing poetry were some of Jean’s many and varied interests. Jean was tireless in her efforts to make this world a better place. For example she was a special advocate for children in the judicial system (CASA). She never stopped working quietly and behind the scenes for her world, community, family, and friends. She will be sorely missed. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 21 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Kalas Funeral Home in Edgewater, to be followed by a memorial service at 5:00 at the same location. Burial to be at the United States Naval Academy Columbarium and will be private. Those wishing to make donations in Jean’s honor are invited to consider Doctors Without Borders or the Hospice of the Chesapeake.