None Christine Farnsworth

Christine M. Farnsworth, age 85, a longtime resident of Westwood, MA, died on November 19, following a period of declining health. Predeceased by her parents Earle G. and Christine Farnsworth of Wellesley Hills, MA and Damariscotta, Maine, she is survived by her longtime partner, Patricia J. Clarke, nieces and nephews.

Ms. Farnsworth spent her early years in and around Wellesley, MA where she attended the Brown School, Chapel Hill and Wellesley Senior High School.  She attended Edgewood Park College of Briarcliff, NY, Boston University, and Northeastern University.

After College she joined the U.S. Marine Corps.  Her military duties at the time of the Korean Conflict involved working in the JAG office in North Carolina, as well as in Hawaii, prior to its statehood. Upon her discharge from military service, she returned to Massachusetts where she worked for many years in an administrative capacity in industry at Langmaids Employment Service, Brigham’s Dorothy Muriels, Hewlett-Packard, and the Jarrell Ash Division of Fisher Scientific.

Deciding to advance her career and interests, Ms. Farnsworth pursued advanced degrees in education from Curry College and Suffolk University. She taught one year in Dorchester High School followed by more than 30 years at Watertown High School.  Teaching various subjects, she particularly enjoyed her involvement with the Distributive Education Program during which time she would often travel with her students to various competition events. She was devoted to her students some of whom she remains in touch with these many years later.

From an early age, Ms. Farnsworth loved adventure beginning with travel out of the country on several occasions with her father in his capacity as an executive in the wool industry. One perk to her teaching occupation was the freedom to travel during the summer months, travel that took her to such places such as India, Africa, and Europe.  Trips in her motor home allowed travel in the states and Canada with her beloved pets on board.

Other interests over her lifetime included memberships in the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Massachusetts Audubon Society, National Geographic Society, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the American Legion, RVing Women, and numerous wildlife organizations.

Christine would be the first to tell you that it was a life well lived and certainly not long enough. There was much more to see and do and many more adventures to experience.  She was a strong, opinionated, in-charge person.  Chris had many friends over her years and was a great lover of animals. She was quick to offer advice on most any subject, but if you were an animal lover, and she was never without one or two of her own, she was a great source of information.

Friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, WESTWOOD, MA on Sunday, November 26th, from 4-7 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Monday November 27th, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 59 Court Street, Dedham, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dedham facility of the Animal Rescue League, 55 Anna’s Place, Dedham, MA 02026.