Florence FARRELL

FARRELL, Florence

Florence K. Farrell RN, longtime resident of Litchfield and Goshen CT, died on June 15, 2011 at the age of 78. She was born on December 14, 1932, in Torrington CT. She was the youngest of six children born to Mary and Joseph Koldys. Florence was married to Doctor Henry Francis Farrell of West Haven, CT from June 15, 1956 until his untimely death on January 28, 1980. Florence is survived by their four children, Stacie Farrell Kavle of Litchfield, CT, Patrick Farrell of Los Angeles, CA, Brian Farrell of New York, NY, Clare Farrell Forsyth of West Bengal, India, two sons in-law, James Forsyth and Dr. Edward Kavle, and three grandchildren, Henry, Alexandra and Maeve Kavle. Florence also leaves behind a sister, Mary Knox of Torrington, CT, a brother, Joseph Koldys of Columbus, OH, numerous nieces and nephews and dear friend and former second husband, Walter O'Shea of Goshen CT. Florence graduated from Torrington High School, then earned her nursing degree from The New Britain School of Nursing. Her nursing career took her to New York City where she worked at Mount Sinai and Columbia Presbyterian Hospitals. She remained active in nursing, and in a volunteer capacity ran The Litchfield County Blood Mobile for many years. Following the death of Doctor Farrell, Florence earned a Masters in Family and Marriage Counseling from Central Connecticut State University and then worked for ten years as a substance abuse counselor at the John Dempsey Hospital at the University of Connecticut's Medical Center in Farmington, CT. After her retirement, and despite being diagnosed with the multiple myeloma that eventually claimed her life, Florence continued to run pediatric counseling groups. Over the course of her life other volunteer activities included Girl Scout Leader, Catechism teacher, FISH, and the Litchfield P.T.A. She continued to selflessly serve until she was no longer able. Her last volunteer position was at Valerie Manor in Torrington, CT. Florence loved tennis, gardening, meditation, horseback riding, reading, traveling, and UConn Husky Basketball. Notable experiences in her life were the hours spent with friends on the tennis court, foxhunting with the Litchfield County Hounds, the visits from her many nieces and nephews and the trips she made with her sister Mary to Poland, Wimbledon and Davis Cup Tennis.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Florence Farrell will be celebrated at The Lourdes Shrine in Litchfield, 83 Montfort Road, on Tuesday, June 21 at 12:30 p.m. Burial will immediately follow in St. Anthony Cemetery in Litchfield. Arrangements entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home, Litchfield.