Shirley Louise McFarland
Shirley Louise McFarland, 77, of 12579 National Pike, Grantsville, Maryland, died Monday, August 1, 2011, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born August 8, 1933 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Porter and Oma (Victor) LaClair.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester; a daughter, Lois Pope and a son, Ronald; one brother, James LaClair and one sister, Elizabeth Stearns.
Shirley stood by her husband’s side (Chester) as they embarked on the venture of a lifetime. They opened Hill Top Fruit Market in 1958. Shortly after, they opened the Fruit Bowl in The Narrows, and the Farmers Market in Oakland. She was the driving force behind the addition of Candyland to the business. She always had an idea or contribution for the business. In the early years, she could be seen at Hill Top Fruit Market working hard to make the business succeed. Later, she worked right along with her employees at the Fruit Bowl. Until her death; she was a mainstay in the business. Shirley was a quiet reserved woman with a no nonsense attitude that she carried until her death. She often thought of others before herself, providing support when needed. She enjoyed the simple things in life – a good meal, a quiet evening, her flower garden, and her home here and in Arizona. She spent many good times both here and in Arizona in the company of one of her closest friends, Betty Jo Swauger.
Surviving are her ten children; two sons, Kenneth ‘Pete’ McFarland and wife, Denise, Grantsville, Jim McFarland and wife, Melanie of Frostburg, MD; eight daughters, Ambra Kay Dolan and husband, Robert, Accident, MD, Mary Shelley-Paul and husband, Dalton of Grantsville, Joyce Lynn Kamp and husband, Gregg, Lonaconing, MD, Linda Sue Carr and husband, Verlyn (Dutch), Accident, Barbara Jean Parrill and husband, Roger, Paw Paw, WV, Terri Lee Wiley and husband, Chuck, Frostburg, Peggy Jo Kamp and husband, Mervin, Grantsville, Ellen (Sandi) Carey and husband, Darin, Frostburg; two sisters, Darlene LaClair, Uniontown and Joyce Hunt, Michigan; one brother, Porter LaClair, Frostburg; 26 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
Friends will be received at the NEWMAN FUNERAL HOMES, P.A., 179 Miller Street, Grantsville, MD, on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 from 1-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Services will be conducted in the funeral home on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10 a.m. with Rev. William Ferguson officiating.
Interment will be in the Hopwood Cemetery, Hopwood, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, The Schwab Cancer Center at WMHS or Hospice of Garrett County.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.newmanfuneralhomes.com.