Elizabeth Randolph Farrar March

Elizabeth Randolph Farrar March, 90, passed away at her home in Black Rock, Connecticut on January 28, 2024.

Born in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii on March 19, 1933, Elizabeth ("Betty") was the first of two children of Colonel Benjamin Randolph Farrar and Clement Weeks Ostermann Farrar. After graduating from Manatee County High School in Bradenton, Florida in 1950, Betty earned an A.S. in Fashion Merchandising from the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (now known as LIM College) in New York City in 1952. While serving as a head buyer at Halle Brothers in Canton, Ohio, Betty met her future husband, Philip Kappes March, who she married in 1955. Following her marriage, she worked at Lord & Taylor in New York City before relocating with her family to Garrison, New York and Wilton, Connecticut.

While raising her three children, Betty founded and directed the Wilton Woods Nursery School. Later, she joined Cadbury Schweppes USA where she served in many positions for more than 25 years, including as a Senior Telecommunications Analyst. Betty earned a B.A. in History with honors from the University of Connecticut in 1994. She studied calligraphy with the School Sisters of Notre Dame and later opened her own calligraphy studio, Elizabeth's Pen. Following her retirement, Betty discovered the joy of acrylic painting, displaying considerable talent as a still life and landscape painter.

Multi-talented and resourceful, Betty was a skilled gardener, cook, needlewoman, and seamstress. She read constantly, had a great sense of humor, and was a loyal and trustworthy friend. She possessed remarkable insight, sensitivity, and strength. She created loving homes where her children's and grandchildren's friends and endless succession of pets were always welcome. She was very proud of her father, a West Point graduate who served in World Wars I and II and was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Silver Star.

Betty loved Cape Cod, regularly vacationing with her family in Chatham while her children were growing up. Over the years, she also enjoyed trips to Canton, Ohio to visit her mother-in-law Ruth Kappes March, and Livonia, Michigan, to visit her beloved sister-in-law Cary March Ormond and Cary's family. In recent years, Betty enjoyed many happy times vacationing with her family at Pleasant Bay in Harwich, Massachusetts.

In 2016, Betty moved from the Cove area of Stamford to Black Rock to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed many events and activities in the area, including Black Rock Day, summer concerts at St. Ann's Church, Sunday afternoons at Captain's Cove, St. Patrick's Day at The Castle, tree lighting ceremonies, Porchfest, and taking in the beautiful view along St. Mary's. Her home served as the gathering place for many happy and memorable family celebrations.

Betty was predeceased by her father, Colonel Benjamin Randolph Farrar; her mother, Clement Weeks Ostermann Farrar; her former husband, Philip Kappes March; and her sister, Alice Ostermann Farrar Collier. Betty is survived by her son, Duncan Maxwell ("Max") March (Barbara Guryan March); her daughters, Erica Randolph March Menard (James Joseph Menard) and Victoria Hughes March (Leslie Bruce Finley); and her granddaughters, Victoria Randolph Menard and Claire Elizabeth Menard. Betty is also survived by her nephews, Collin Collier and Casey Collier, who she was blessed to come to know in recent years; her niece-in-law, Lucy Ormond; and her nephews-in-law, Stephen Ormond and Brian Ormond. Betty's Christian faith sustained her throughout her life, and she passed in the expectation of being reunited with the Lord and her loved ones.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the wonderful aides at Always Caring of Westport, Connecticut for the outstanding care, companionship, and love they provided to Betty and her family. Their support made it possible for Betty to remain in her home until the end of her life.

A memorial service in Betty's honor will be held in the spring of 2024. For those wishing to donate in Betty's memory, please consider Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate) or The Salvation Army (https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give/164006/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=USNContactPage).