It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the sudden loss of our dear mom, our angel, Juliette Joan Farrow (Judy).
She was born in the small village of Louisdale to her late parents, Felix (Popa) and Mary Marchand. She was predeceased by her siblings Lucille & Stephen P. MacDonald, Beatrice & Emery Burke, Gerald & Norma Marchand, Vernon Marchand, Lorraine & Donald Burke, Elaine & Arthur Sullivan, Barbara Marchand (sister-in-law), Benny Marchand (age 16 at the time of his passing) and baby sister Christine who passed away at birth.
Judy is survived by her husband, John Vernon Farrow, and her children: Mark & Therese Farrow (Devyn, Elizabeth, Parker, Lakyn), Brayden Farrow and girlfriend Megan Brow, David & Michelle Farrow (Cooper, Weston), and Melanie & Jamie Power (Cadyn, Caelyn, Calla). She is also survived by her one remaining brother, Stephen Marchand, the baby of the family, whom she loved dearly. She also leaves behind our Aunt Doris Marchand and several nieces and nephews, many of whom she considered her own. You know who you are.
In her earlier years, Mom worked in downtown Halifax at the Lord Nelson, where she met our wonderful dad, John Farrow. It didn’t take her long to return to her hometown of Louisdale. Mom didn’t work outside the home when we were small, as she used to say, “I do enough work at home.” She was right. We never came home to an uncooked meal or laundry undone—she was a top-notch housekeeper. What she provided for us was a safe space, a home full of food and love.
She wasn’t much of an “I love you” gal when we were young, but whenever we left the house to go anywhere, she would say, “Be careful” or “Watch out,” and we knew that meant “I love you.” Mom was our biggest supporter, and our children’s biggest cheerleader (as long as they had their winter jacket on).
She provided those same nanny-cooked meals to all of our children. They wouldn’t get off the school bus without a home-cooked stew waiting for them, or their favourite—chicken divine. When the favourite (the middle child) was home, you were guaranteed a turkey dinner. Mom loved us all. We always joked that she loved David just a tiny bit more—but all jokes aside, she really did ;).
She was a natural caretaker. She cared for her father in her home for many years while we were young, and we all helped look after him. We could write a book about our mom—she was a gentle soul with a heart of gold. She had many friends, and people knew her from card games and bingos all over. She was just a trickster—you never quite knew what she was going to do or say next.
During Mom’s final moments on earth, she gave us the greatest gift of all: her last wishes and a few final “orders” before she closed her eyes. If you knew our mom, you know she wasn’t going without saying her piece. We were very fortunate that she was able to tell us she did not want any life-saving measures—if the Lord wanted her, she was ready to go. And she truly was ready.
We weren’t quite ready to let her go, but life doesn’t always work that way.
She spoke to each of us and told us she loved us—how lucky were we to receive that? How very lucky.
We will take comfort in knowing we did all we could to keep our mom here with us, but God wanted her more.
Her final words to us were, “Get along.” Those words meant so much more than they seem. They meant to be there for one another, to have each other’s backs, to make home-cooked meals for each other, and to do things without expecting anything in return.
This was our mom—and we understand what you meant, Mom.
We love you. And if love could have kept you here, you would have been with us forever.
