- ?b?Highly Esteemed Lady Of Almonte
?/b?Mrs John MacFarlane was Member of Well Known Family of Bennies Corners
Mrs John MacFarlane, one of the best known and most highly esteemed ladies of Almonte, died on Friday at her home on Church street. She was 73 years of age. She was a native of Bennies Corners. Her maiden name was Janet Young, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Peter Young. There were eleven in the family and all of them have passed away except her brother, Mr Robert Young, of Ottawa. She had four sisters: Mrs John McCarter, Mrs Angus Sutherland, and Mrs Henry Cavers. The brothers who are deceased were: Alexander, William, John, Peter, Andrew and Stephen. Forty-six years ago she was married to Mr John MacFarlane and she lived on the MacFarlane homestead with her husband until 27 years ago when they moved into Almonte to their home of Church street. The old MacFarlane homestead in now occupied by Mr James Turner. Mrs MacFarlane was a most charming woman. She had a delightful disposition and her home was noted for its hospitality. Besides her husband she leaves two daughters to mourn her loss: Jean, Mrs George Buckham, Duncan, B.C., and Mamie, Mrs S.R. Finlayson, Pembroke. There was a very large assembly of relatives and friends at the funeral on Monday. The service was conducted by Rev W.H. McCracken, of St John's Presbyterian Church, and many floral tributes adorned the casket. The pallbearers were all nephews: Messrs M.R. Young, Angus Sutherland, Peter Sutherland, Herbert Young, E.H. Knight and M.R. MacFarlane. Friends from out of town included: Mr and Mrs Robert Young, Mr and Mrs E.H. Knight, Mr Andrew Young, Dr and Mrs O.H. Spratt, Mrs Thos Urquhart, Mr A.K. McLean, and Miss Margaret MacFarlane, all of Ottawa; Col E.J. Mackie and many other friends from Pembroke; Mr William Baird, Carleton Place. Rev Mr McCracken said in part: "I want to hold up before you the life sized portrait of a good woman, as it is sketched for us by the pen of Solomon, believing that you will see in this picture a striking likeness of Mrs MacFarlane, an ideal to which any young woman would to well aspire, a woman of which any man could be justly proud, a mother whose children will rise up and called blessed. "The inspired writer says four things of this good woman all of which can be said of our departed sister. She was industrious. As a result of her work a home is purchased, a vineyard is bought, is not this beautiful home in which we are met today the product of a woman's toil as much as the reward of a man's industry? Such homes make a man independent of the grog shop, the club, or the street corner. ? the seat of the scorner, Mrs MacFarlane loved her household tasks, refusing to be idle, even when strength was failing. She died practically in harness. "She had the characteristic of 'hospitality.' While these neighbours could tell you of the unnumbered act of kindness and love, done by this best of women in the most unostentatious way, through all the year of her devoted life, so that we hear on every hand such testimonies as these 'The best woman in Canada.' 'There is only one Aunt Janet,' others could tell you of the wonderful home in which she was reared, where the heartiest welcome always awaited you, a home where friends always met on the great holidays of the year, and where worshippers could always get a good meal on the Sabbath. I would like to add my own word and bear my own testimony to many kind acts and loving deeds. "This good woman was faithful to her marriage vows. for well nigh half century had our lamented friend fulfilled the good opinion which must have been held of her, when she came to her husband's home, encircled with the glamour of early love. With kindness, fortitude and dignity had she ministered to the needs of husband and daughters, making the home a place of contentment, a haven of rest. "She was a pious women. She loved her Church and was always willing to help in any way towards her prosperity. She was not among the company of those who forsake the assembling of themselves together. It was with a feeling of real home sickness did she pine to be in her solemn assemblies and take her part in the praise Service of the House of God. Especially did she covet a place at our last Communion Service. "Looking back upon a long useful life of health and happiness, she could say with the Psalmist, 'Surely Goodness and Mercy have followed me all the days of my life.' With good faith she could also look forward to the future and say, 'I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever'."
1929, Friday June 28, The Almonte Gazette front page
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1856 - 1929 (72 years)
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