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Obituary for Eileen Farley
Eileen Farley, of Milford, died peacefully on November 10, 2021. She just celebrated her 100th birthday on September 12, 2021.
Who was Eileen Farley?
Eileen was the second child and only daughter of Clara and Ernest Wedhorn. Eileen was a bright-and happy child, with deep brown eyes that accentuated her brown hair.
Although born in Marysville, Michigan she considered herself a native Detroiter. She and her family moved to the city in 1926 and subsequently purchased a home on Christy Street near City Airport. Eileen lived in that house until she married Richard ”Dick” Anderson, her childhood sweetheart in 1943.
She met Dick while attending Wilkins Elementary School. He won her heart exchanging sweet valentines at age 12. Although other gents fought valiantly for her attention, she claimed him as her one true love. They graduated from Denby High School in 1939.
She described her childhood as full of fun and adventure, walking to school with friends, taking the bus to her grandparents in Mount Clemons, shopping and attending events at downtown stores and theaters.
She and her many girlfriends spent hours playing house and office on the front porch, pushing their doll buggies, riding her “Black Beauty” bicycle. She was proud of doing tricks like sitting sidesaddle and even standing on the seat going as fast as she could.
She loved to make snow angels and draw pictures of the stars. They made toy radios from boxes and performed gymnastic stunts on the neighbor’s lawn. In the sixth grade she won a ribbon at the school talent show for walking across the entire stage on her hands and then won a pair of roller skates for running the 50-yard dash.
During the depression, her mother reworked her own clothes into beautiful dresses and coats for Eileen to wear to school. Eileen learned to sew on her own little Singer sewing machine when she was twelve. She soon became an accomplished seamstress
Throughout her life she created works of art in many forms. She was amazingly good at beading, quilting, needlepoint, knitting, crocheting and more. She focused on perfection, taking time with even the smallest details. Her elegant penmanship was an art in itself.
She loved beautiful things. The more sparkle and color the better. Her home reflected her taste for elegance with crystal and glassware, silver, bronze, and gold throughout. Her “Queen’s Room” was her special place. It was reserved for adults except on special occasions.
There was always music at our house. Eileen had a record collection and played her favorite records on the HiFi. She insisted her children play the Organ and the Piano. She loved music of all kinds. She was always singing as she took care of household duties. She and Sam loved to dance and were often the first and last on the dance floor at family celebrations.
She had a beautiful voice. She won awards as a child and sang professionally on the Kiddie Carnival Radio show. She took lessons for many years and was earmarked by a famous teacher for a career as an opera singer. She did not pursue her passion but was often requested to sing at special events both public and private.
She loved to play any kind of game. She especially loved to gamble. She played bingo and cards any chance she could. She loved playing the slot machines. Her “Bingo money” winnings were often the source of funds for dinner outings or spontaneous purchases.
Eileen started golfing in her fifties while spending winters at the Silver Dollar Golf Club. She was a great putter. At 93, she sank a 28-foot put during a golf scramble in Florida. Visiting her and Sam was a whirlwind of non-stop activities.
She was a collector. Her antique purse collection featured over three hundred beautifully crafted beaded or metal bags. She collected plates, crystal, silver, candlesticks, coins, stamps, bears of all types, tea sets, old newspapers, books, and magazines.
Collecting, saving mementos was her way of preserving the past, freezing the joy of days gone by and saving for the future. Living through times of loss, the scarcity of funds in the depression, the terror of sending your husband to WWII and Korea, the loss of that beloved husband when life was full of joy imprinted on Eileen the fragile nature of life. .
Eileen and Dick Anderson were blessed with two children, Gary, a fun loving red-headed boy and Donna, a talented, beauty like her mother. They lived in the Milford area where Dick owned the local Standard Gas Station. Dick served in the Army Air Force through much of their marriage. After the war they lived in Arizona where Dick was stationed. Their happiness was cut short when Dick was killed in a tragic accident while training other pilots.
Eileen was heartbroken but her spirit was resilient. She returned to Michigan steadfastly determined to make a good life for herself and her children.
She faced the challenges of life head on. She courageously opted for happiness. Eileen, Donna and Gary married Donald “Sam” Farley in 1954. Within 3 years they were blessed with two more sweet children, Laurel and Dan. They were married for sixty-five fun filled years.
Eileen was a lifelong member of the Eastern Star. During her tenure she held many offices at the local and state level. In 1975 she was elected to co-chair the Sunshine committee for the Michigan Grand Chapter of Michigan. She was responsible to spread cheer and goodwill throughout the organization. It was the perfect role for her. She soon became known as “Sunshine” a nickname that stuck with her through the balance of her life.
Eileen orchestrated all aspects of our lives with beauty and grace. She taught her children the meaning of family and the importance of lifelong friendships. She took pride in her appearance, her family, and her home. She was always prepared for anything and everything.
She loved to have fun, to travel and to entertain. Holidays were beautiful fun filled events with decorations, food, drinks, and gifts for all. Christmas was an extravaganza.
She said the secret to happiness was “just living” but it was more than that. She gave us an example to live by, being her best self and putting all her spirit and energy into every day of her life.
Thank you, Mom. We will love you forever.
She is survived by her four children, Gary (Kay) Anderson, Donna (David) Gramlich, Laurel (Joel) Castiglione and Dan (Grace) Farley; eleven grandchildren, Holly (Gary) Fuchs, Kelly (Darren) Romano and Amy (Greg) Farmer, Emilie (Rick) Spooner, Greg (Cheryl) Gramlich and Courtney (Dan) Rup, Jacob (Meaghan) Castiglione, Zachery (Ashley) Castiglione and Maxwell (Jennifer) Castiglione, Denton (Sydney Nagi) Farley and Delainy (Matt) Spencer; nineteen great-grandchildren, Abbie, Megan, Jillian, Tyler, Boden, Maxy, Drew, Rylie, Anderson, Graham, Ruby, Paige, Matthew, Logan, Luke, Finola, Maeve, Amelia, Mason, with another on the way.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Donald Farley.
A Funeral Service will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty St., Milford on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11 AM, with gathering to begin at 10 AM. Burial Milford Memorial Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 6-8 PM. With the Eastern Star celebration at 7 PM.
The family requests that those in attendance for the visitation and service please wear a mask.
For further information, phone Lynch & Sons, Milford at 248-684-6645.
