Mary Frances Farnsworth

On April 11th 2024, Mary Frances Farnsworth peacefully departed this world to be reunited with our Lord and her loving husband, Orbie Gale Farnsworth.

Mary was born January 19th, 1944 to Howard (Speck) Wesley Brinegar and Anna Lee (Arnall) Brinegar in Wellsville, Missouri and was the third of their six children. She married Orbie Gale Farnsworth on October 16th 1964 at the First Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Together, Mary and Orbie built a life and family filled with more love and laughter than most are fortunate enough to have. During the Vietnam War, Orbie joined the U.S. Air Force and the young couple went to Mississippi, Arizona, and England.

Their daughter, Denise, was born to them on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in July of 1972 before the small family was stationed in England. In 1974, they decided to return to Arizona after their overseas station and bought their forever home in Sahuarita, Arizona in August of 1974. Mary went on to work for the United States Postal Service and retired in 2000 but continued to work hard in every other area of life.

Even as the little town grew, Mary had an infectious personality and over her nearly 50 years of residency spread her love and joy throughout many different aspects of the community. Over several decades she wore many hats at the Sahuarita School District. From volunteering during her daughter, Denise’s school activities and swim team, to becoming the “Band Grandma” with her granddaughter, Aysha, to baking cookies for the football team to support her friend’s son; Mary was known by many generations of students, teachers, and administration. Mary and Orbie were also involved with the booster club for the Tucson Toros, where their love and support spread to those wonderful young men; some of whom kept in contact even after going onto accomplish great things in the MLB or coaching.

Though she was not “over the top” or “fancy” in nature, Mary always clung to the Midwestern values instilled in her since birth. She loved fiercely, laughed genuinely, and made the best sweet tea. Mary was also very strong minded. You could say she held true to her Missouri roots the most in that way. Perhaps the best example of this was when Mary wanted to have her ears pierced but was informed they did not have money for it at the time. It was later revealed that there was a new fire arm purchased by her husband. Orbie would later come home to find that his wife had remedied his concerns with a sewing needle, a lighter, a few ice cubes, and a potato. Needless to say, Orbie had to buy her earrings to replace the string dangling from her ear lobes.

Mary is preceded in death by her father Howard Wesley and mother Anna Lee. Her sisters Lyvonia and Patricia, and her husband, Orbie Gale.

She is survived by her brothers Howard, John, and Dennis. Her daughter Denise (David) and her grandchildren Aysha and Gabriel.