Sarena Stripling Finlayson

FINLAYSON, SARENA
STRIPLING, passed away on May 5, 2011 at her Harbor Chase home in Gainesville, Florida. She was born in Camilla, Georgia on September 27, 1921 to John Emmett and Dorothy Salter Stripling. The family moved to Orlando, Florida in 1924 where Sarena grew up. She attended Bernau University in Gainesville, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia with a nutritional sciences degree. She did an internship as a hospital dietician at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. She married 1st Lt. Edwin Hines Finlayson in September 6, 1945. Sarena was an active military officer's wife, and spent the next 26 years stationed in various parts of the world care of the United States Marine Corps. She was preceded in death by her husband on October 3, 1991. She was a dedicated wife and mother. Sarena loved her family and friends, and enjoyed cooking, entertaining, decorating, gardening, and travelling. Her wisdom, guidance, support, strength of spirit, and love of family will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children Pamela Finlayson-Hurn (Ed) of Marion, North Carolina, Dorothy (Tom) Cardo of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Edwin John (Barbara) Finlayson of Gainesville, Florida, her grandchildren James Edwin Cardo, Thomas Alexander Cardo, Jr., and Heather Merideth (Justin) Dagenhart, and one great grandson Edwin Levy Dagenhart. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the chapel at Beggs Funeral Home in Monticello, Florida. Interment will be at the Finlayson Family Cemetery in Ashville, Florida. Sarena loved flowers, but if you prefer a more lasting gift, donations can be made to Haven Hospice of Gainesville, Florida, or the Alzheimer's Association.