Carma Farina Cain

Of the West End of Rockville, MD, passed away on March 21, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 2, 1929 in Philadelphia, PA, the second of two daughters of George Farina and Mary McLaughlin. Carma and her sister Marie shared an incredibly strong, loving bond. They truly adored each other and were best friends. Only 15 months apart, they were inseparable playmates as children, and attended West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School and Rosemont College (on full scholarship) together. It was in these schools they shared the same close circle of lifelong friends. After graduating from Rosemont College with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Carma attained her Masters Degree in Chemistry from Columbia University. She and Marie taught at the W. and E. Martin School for the Deaf in Philadelphia. She was working at a chemistry lab at the University of Pennsylvania when she met the love of her life, Dennis Cain. When they discussed marriage towards the end of 1960, Dennis suggested "Next year" and Carma replied, "Great, how about January?" They were married during a blizzard on January 21,1961 at Saint Francis de Sales Parish in Philadelphia during the weekend of John F. Kennedy's inauguration. A few years later, Carma and Dennis moved their growing family to Rockville, MD in 1968.

Carma dedicated her life to her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher. She brought her natural sense of humor and calming influence even in situations that were otherwise humorless and chaotic. She loved to laugh, a trait she inherited from her mother and shared with her sister. No one who met them could forget their boisterous laughter and warm hospitality. She always put others first, perceiving their emotional states and drawing them into conversation. She was an amazing listener with quiet but sage wisdom for any situation, and a comfortable source of support that will be missed by all who knew her.

When her youngest son, Brennan, started elementary school, Carma took a teaching position in kindergarten in Montgomery County Public Schools, spreading her calm to rambunctious elementary kids. She worked in area elementary schools for over 20 years and was often met with hugs by former students when out and about in Rockville, at one of the kids' soccer games, or at the local pool.

Carma's favorite place in the world was Atlantic City, NJ, where her family gathered with her parents and her sister's family, spending countless hours making ravioli and pizzelles for the always-hungry brood. Her love of the beach lasted her whole life, with many cherished vacations to the beach with her many grandchildren and her Alpha Group friends. She and Dennis loved traveling throughout their marriage. After their kids left home, they followed them to visit, attending more soccer games and school musicals.

Carma was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Dennis, her sister and brother-in-law Marie and Daniel Begley, and her daughter-in-law, Robyn Cain. She is survived by her daughter Mary, sons Christopher, Timothy, Stephen, Brennan and their significant others, Chris, Colyn, Michelle, Viki and Rebecca. Her eleven grandchildren, Ian, Conor, Zachary, Austin, Devin, Zoey, Caleb, Charlotte, Oliver, Ruby, and Griffin loved and cherished spending time with their "Nanny". Though she remained charming and full of life until the end, Carma received wonderful care from several caregivers. The family is forever indebted to Lucy, Rose, Gina, and Teena.

A lifelong Catholic, Carma exemplified the spirit of giving. If you wish to honor her memory with a donation, please consider giving to So Others Might Eat. Her funeral mass took place at St. Elizabeth's, 917 Montrose Rd., Rockville, on April 4, 2025.