Frieda Farris Obituary (1920 - 2014)

MANCHESTER — Frieda Farris slipped from the arms of her middle son into the arms of Our Lord on the evening of May 13, 2014. Frieda was born in Brookline, Mass., on June 11, 1920, to parents Jacob and Anna (Lamott) Umscheid. Anna died when Frieda was very young, and Jacob remarried. Elsa became a mother to the young family and “Grammy Umscheid” to the generation to come. Frieda graduated from Jamaica Plain High School and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, Mass. When working in Boston, she met Ralph W. Farris, who convinced her that he could take her on a dollar date. Frieda worked as a legal secretary for David Forbes, Goodwin, Proctor and Hoar, and VP Leggett Drug Co., all in Boston. Here in Maine she was employed by WWII Civil Defense in Augusta, Attorney General Ralph W. Farris Sr. and Ralph W. Farris Jr. Personal Law Office. Frieda was a member of the Augusta Country Club, the Universalist Church in Gardiner, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Augusta, and was an active member of the Maine Republican Party. Her parents, two sisters, Virginia (in infancy) and Georgia Gisler, her husband Ralph W. Farris Jr., and treasured grandson Paul Farris, predeceased her. She is survived by three sons: Ronald W. Farris, of Fort Myers, Fla., Gregory J. Farris and his life partner, Bobbi Berry, of Whitefield, and Jonathan G. Farris and his wife, Roberta, of Madison, Wis. Also missing her are five grandchildren: Sean Farris and his wife, Maryann, of Chelsea, Marc Farris and his life partner, Kelle Keeley, of Portland, Alyssa Farris Mark, of Moore Park, Calif., Wren Farris, of Port Townsend, Wash., and Scott Farris, of Minneapolis, Minn. Frieda had one great grandson, Caden Mark, of Malibu, Calif. Frieda will be greatly missed by her brother, George J. Umscheid, and wife Jean, of Westwood, Mass.; niece Susan Wegmueller and her husband, Juerg, of Virginia; niece Nancy Robitaille and husband Bill, of Natick, Mass.; and niece Carol Patrick and husband Shawn, of Framingham, Mass.; as well as three grandnephews: Jakob Wegmueller, Robert Wegmueller and Brian Patrick. Frieda was a daughter, sister, cousin, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a devoted lady in each of these roles. Her passions included her family, golf, playing bridge, all kinds of games, her turtle collection, reading, and conversations with friends. She was a loving and generous person and enjoyed sharing advice, tales of the Prohibition Era, meals, trips, and even her secret recipe for lobster stew. From her Cobbosseecontee Lake condo she was able to enjoy an ever-changing vista and watch and listen to her favorite resident loons. Basically, Frieda was the moral guardian of the Farris Family. Without her — all hell could break loose. Frieda’s message to all of us: “Who you are is God’s gift to you; who you become is your gift to God.” If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Frieda’s name to the Maine YMCA Summer Camp in Winthrop. Family and friends will be gathering on the afternoon of July 5, 2014, at The Augusta Country Club in Manchester, to share Frieda stories, and enjoy each other’s company, hugs, perhaps a drink, and surely good thoughts. Celebration of Life 07/05/2014 00:00 00:00:00 American Legion Post # 4 Griffen Street Gardiner Maine 4345