Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Mary Farley Obituary
Mary Kay was born in Detroit, MI in 1935, the daughter of Emmet and Frances (Carney) Tracy. She graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grosse Pointe, MI. She then attended Manhattanville College and Loyola (Chicago) School of Social Work, graduating in 1959. She married James D. Farley in Grosse Pointe, MI on February 27, 1960. Her special qualities were her organizational ability, her generosity of spirit and her cheerful disposition. She was never depressed even when battling pancreatic cancer. She was a true daughter of Detroit and loved every moment of her early years spent there. She also cherished the many summers she spent in northern Michigan.
Mary Kay is survived by her husband, James D. Farley; their four children, Dr. Frances Farley (Darryl), James D. Farley, Jr. (Cornelia), Dr. Kathryn Farley and Andrew Farley; six grandchildren; her brother, Emmet Tracy, Jr. Also surviving are seven sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law and 35 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Tracy and sister, Denice Summers.
Having known true joy on earth, she expected to encounter it again in Heaven. If you sink an especially long putt or score an unbid grand slam in bridge, think of her.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Regents of the University of Michigan (for the medical school's pancreatic cancer research), University of Michigan Office of University Development, 3003 S. State St., Suite 8000, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1288 or to the Society of the Sacred Heart (Retirement Fund), Society of Sacred Heart Mission Advancement Office, 4120 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108.
The Mass of the Resurrection will take place on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church in Harbor Springs, MI. Fr. Joseph Graff will be the celebrant. Friends may arrive at the church beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday. Interment will take place in Holy Childhood Cemetery in Harbor Springs.
The family entrusted Schiller Funeral Home for the arrangements. Online shared memories and condolences may be made at www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Farley
Sponsored by Monterey Herald.
August 2, 2014
Sally Savage, Patty Cogan, and Mary Anne Harahan ( the Mc Manus sisters) send our deepest sympathy to this wonderful family. We grew up and shared our lives with the Tracy family. Our moms will be waiting to greet her. The Mc Manus girls
Paulette Pera
August 2, 2014
To Mary Kay, my golfing partner. You took me places I could only dream of, sent me on adventures I never would have attempted. You changed my world in many ways, I never will forget you.
John A. Wells
August 1, 2014
The Trustees, residents, alumni and staff of International House, New York, note with great sorrow the passing of Mary Kay Farley. As a Trustee since 1979, she was actively involved as Chair and later Co-chair of the Development & Alumni Relations Committee of the Board. She was widely admired for her collegiality, hard work and unfailing grace and good humor, and was elected Life Trustee in 1992. Sincere condolences upon the loss of this remarkable woman to her husband Jim Farley, daughter Kathryn Farley, and the entire family.
August 1, 2014
My sincere condolences to the family as we await the time when " no resident will say I am sick". Until then, please be strong & love one another.
Sister Kathleen Lunsmann
August 1, 2014
Mary Kay will be remembered for her kindness and compassion. May she rest in God's eternal peace. With love and prayers from all of us at SOAR!
Tom Coffman
August 1, 2014
Mary Kay was a wonderful lady who will be missed by many. She gave willingly of her time, talent, and treasure!
Jim Urbaniak
August 1, 2014
Mary Kay served beside me on the OREF board for several years -we shared some wonderful moments. My heart goes out to her family in these difficult days.
August 1, 2014
My condolences to the family and friends.
Bill Heron
July 31, 2014
I knew Mary Kay through Jim and Citibank...together they had wonderful balance...especially to someone like myself, a new young hire at Citibank...there was a warmth that radiated from Mary Kay and it was always clear that Jim was something of a big force of nature...that is, except when Mary Kay was exerting her subtle, ever so gracious influence...She'll be missed
Genevieve (Genny) Ragland
July 31, 2014
May THE LIGHT of THE LORD SHINES Bright on this family
Genevieve (Genny) Ragland
July 31, 2014
Mrs Farley will certainly be missed , she was a great person may she rest in the arms of JESUS.
July 31, 2014
My sympathies to your family. I met your parents through the Reynolds family. I also worked with Mr. Farley when he was Chair of the Question Club. Terri Baker
Francined DeCicco
July 30, 2014
Mr. Farley, Fran, Kate, Jim and Andrew,
Much heartfelt sympathy and gratitude for all that your wonderful wife and mother did for my parents. A truly generous and kind person whom I know will be greatly missed by many.
July 30, 2014
Mary Kay evidenced a joyous spirit that greeted generously every contact…this sunshine will be sadly missed by family and so many friends, though appreciated in surely her Heavenly Home.
We pray, particularly for the family - Sympathy and Peace.
Biz & Catesby Clay
July 30, 2014
Much love to Jim and all the family. I have such happy memories of wonderful fun times with Mary Kay starting in the early40s at Convent of the Sacred Heart in Grosse Pointe. What a field hockey player! Marcella Seymour Lilly. Greenwich,CT
Dr. Kathryn T. Farley
July 30, 2014
Please feel free to sign Mom's guest book. Photos of her life and a detailed chronicle of Mom's heroic battle with pancreatic cancer can be found at: www.caringbridge.org, under the site for "marykayfarley" (note: there are no spaces between parts of her name).
Thanks very much,
-Katie
Taken March 2, 2013 when Mary Kay was honored at the annual Sacred Heart Luncheon in Florida
July 29, 2014
Sending my heartfelt condolences on the passing of a true child of the Sacred Heart. Mary Kay was a humble, gracious and most inspiring woman! May she rest in peace.
"What will matter is not your competence but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories but the memories of those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what."
Taken from part of the poem "What Will Matter" by Michael Josephson.
In the Heart,
Maureen E. Ryan
AASH Past President (2011-2013)
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
Make a Donation
in Mary Farley's name
Memorial Events
for Mary Farley
How to support Mary's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Mary Farley's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
