OUR STORY
Francis “Frank” Xavier Farrey, Jr., peaceful and surrounded by his family, joined his wife Marianne in heaven on April 8th. He was born May 10th, 1948 in Miami Beach, Fl. He was one of three children of Francis and Leila Farrey. He attended St. Patrick’s and Archbishop Curley for early schooling. Later, he became a die-hard “Gator”, member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and proud graduate of the University of Florida; so proud in fact, that he almost never spoke of his acceptance to U.M.’s prestigious MBA program. He decided to postpone grad school and join his brother (Bud), and father (Francis Sr) in the family business (Farrey’s Lighting & Bath), where he worked for 50+ years as Senior Vice President and Treasurer. He was beloved by the Farrey’s employees, and was known as a kind-hearted family man, who was always willing to listen, and share a joke or smile. While living in Doral post-graduation, Frank met Marianne, his “gorgeous” new neighbor, and they quickly became best friends. On February 4th, 1978, they were wed and commenced a lifetime of fun, adventures, world travel, and loving memories. Three years later, they had their first of three children, and they added the blessing and adventure of “parenting” to their story. Frank proudly served in the Air Force Reserve achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, he was President of the National Association of Credit Managers South Florida Region, elected to the National Distributors Council, a member of the Executive Association of Greater Miami, elected Treasurer of Jaycees South Florida, and he was involved in a myriad of philanthropic organizations throughout South Florida. He was an avid tennis player, enjoyed golfing with friends and family, loved sailing and being on the water, and loved grilling his famous “butter-drenched” beef tenderloin for his huge extended family and friends. Frank and Marianne cultivated a prized rose garden, a fruit and vegetable garden, and his passion for his tomato plants was renowned. Originally a member of St Patrick’s and later Our Lady of the Lakes, he was a devout Catholic, and loved volunteering and being a part of the Church. Frank will forever be remembered for his one of a kind personality, tender smile, contagious laugh, and his desire to always host family and friends to celebrate occasions big and small. Frank was pre-deceased by his loving wife Marianne (Kennedy) Farrey (d. 2015). He is survived by his brother Bud Farrey and sister Lee Farrey Evans, three children Bethany, Eric, and Katie, and countless nieces, nephews, and a vast extended family. A memorial service and mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Miami Lakes, on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 at 10am, with a reception in the church hall to follow. In lieu of flowers, Frank asked that donations be made to the Marian Center School, 15701 NW 37th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33054. Please visit his online memorial at www.FrankandMarianne.org for more information and to sign his Guest Book.
Marianne Elizabeth (Kennedy) Farrey, peaceful and surrounded by friends and family, passed on to her everlasting home in Heaven, on February 26th, 2015. She was born June 25th, 1951 in Miami, Fl. at Jackson Memorial Hospital, a place she would eventually work and teach nursing. She was one of five children to Edward (d. 1964) and Margaret (Caito) Kennedy. In her early years, she attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Notre Dame Academy, loved and beheld as everybody’s “big sister”. Later on, she realized her childhood dreams by completing her BS in Nursing at Florida State University, joining the Delta Zeta sorority, and becoming an indomitable “Seminole” fan, something she made sure every UF and UM fan heard plenty of, including her University of Florida alum husband. Upon moving home to South Florida, she became best friends with a new neighbor, fell in love, and married Francis “Frank” Farrey, Jr. in beautiful ceremony on February 4th, 1978. She had an altruistic heart of gold and was deeply empathetic, which perfectly suited her nursing career. Working at Mt. Sinai Miami Beach, Jackson Memorial, and also with home health, Marianne made a strong mark on the world around her; she maintained her nursing license until her final days. She also taught nursing for many years, imparting her wisdom, empathy, and gentle strength onto her many students. Marianne was a devoted Catholic and as a member of Our Lady of the Lakes, she taught CCD for the better part of two decades, was a Eucharistic Minister, a Lecter, ministered to the infirm and elderly, famously baked mountains of sweets for the yearly festival, worked the “Irish Coffee Booth”, the festival “Italian Dinner”, and had a hand in so much more from Habitat for Humanity builds, to doughnut sales and blood drives. Marianne’s life’s work was helping others, and she was beloved everywhere she went; she wore her uplifting smile, love for all, endless patience & compassion, and her zest for life, igniting passion and happiness in all of those that she met. She loved assisting at many schools over the years, organizing art docent projects, building butterfly gardens, and teaching in any and every way. Most dear to her heart, were children with special abilities, and she spent many days a week assisting at The Marian Center School, always returning home with the grandest smile gracing her face. Marianne enjoyed bringing her family and friends together for any and all occasions, and she loved the sounds of merriment and laughter filling her home. She spent summers exploring the mountains, rivers, and small towns of North Carolina with her family. She was an environmentalist, and lover of all animals, especially her cats. Above all, she was the “world’s best mother” to three lucky children. She is survived by her mother Margaret Kennedy, brothers Edward and Thomas Kennedy, sisters Margaret Slaton and Kathleen Fuentes, her husband Francis Farrey, Jr. (d. 2019), children Bethany, Eric, and Katie, and countless nieces, nephews, and a vast extended family. A memorial service and mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Miami Lakes, on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 at 10am, with a reception in the church hall to follow. In lieu of flowers, Marianne asked that donations be made to the Marian Center School, 15701 NW 37th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33054. Please visit her online memorial at www.FrankandMarianne.org for more information and to sign her Guest Book.