Margaret Mary O’Farrell OBITUARY

Margaret Mary O’Farrell OBITUARY

Margaret Mary O’Farrell Dec 12, 1928 – August 3, 2025 Margaret was the oldest of ten Downey’s born in Tipperary, Ireland. She moved to Manchester, England at the age of fourteen to study teaching and made that her career. She married Patrick O’Farrell and had two boys named Guy and Leo. In 1962 the family moved to San Francisco, to be near her sister Teresa, who was a registered nurse. There Margaret earned her California teaching credential at Lone Mountain College. After a few years in San Francisco’s Inner Richmond District she had another boy (Shane). She then helped establish the family home in Larkspur where another son was born (Conor). The older boys were enrolled at the local Catholic schools. Following her husband Patrick’s real estate sales path to the Riveria’s, Margaret moved the family home in 1971 to Lake County, first in Riviera West, then Big Valley. After the older boys started college she moved yet again in 1977 to Santa Barbara, to be near her sister’s family while living separately with her younger boys in a series of rentals and working in local schools. Retired from teaching in 1989, Margaret returned to her Big Valley home and began working to improve the neglected property with the support of local friends and family. Margaret devoted time to her family and her Catholic faith. Her activities included travelling to Southern California regularly to check on her oldest son, Guy. In 2012 Margaret suffered a brain injury from a fall that required surgery and ended her driving career. She lived for years in Alameda after her recovery and enjoyed friends, family life, the walkability of the island, including local churches and parks, and the senior center. In 2018 Margaret returned to life in her Big Valley home and enjoyed the support of the Lakeport Senior Center, Meals on Wheels and parishioners who drove her to Mass at St Mary’s. Over the past couple of years, a series of dedicated, competent and compassionate caregivers and local medical and social service providers enabled Margaret’s desire to live her days out at home, with church members delivering communion and comfort. Maggie loved singing songs and having cups of tea. She is survived by her siblings, Mary, Teresa, Kathleen, Thomas and Noreen; sons, Leo and Conor and their children respectively, Darnell, Paige, Trevor, Kendall, and Patrick, Shannon, Bridget; as well many nieces and nephews, including California based Patric, Noreen, and Rosaleen. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM with a Rosary Service at 6:00 PM at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport. Catholic Mass will be held at St Mary Immaculate in Lakeport on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 11 A.M. with interment to follow at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary 707-263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit chapelofthelakes.com