Beth Farrington (1941 - 2011)

Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Farrington
Resident of Lafayette, CA

Beth Farrington passed away Sunday November 6, 2011 at her home in Lafayette, California, surrounded by her loving family.

Beth was born on September 19, 1941 in Cicero, Illinois, to Vince and Mary Lace. She grew up in Stillman Valley, a small farming community outside of Rockford, Illinois. Second to the youngest of seven children, with five sisters and one brother, the Lace family was well known around their community.

As a young lady, wanting to travel, Beth became a flight attendant with Trans World Airlines, maintaining her career for 37 years.

In 1968, Beth met a young man from New Jersey named Jeff Farrington. On January 18, 1969, they were married at St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church in San Francisco. After living in San Francisco a short while, they moved to Lafayette, California in 1972 where they raised their family. Their two sons, Taylor and Blake were born in 1974 and 1976. Beth adored her men and was always very proud of them.

In 1980, Beth became a Christ-follower, a very strong believer, and she dedicated the rest of her life to knowing God and her Lord Jesus Christ. Beth was a true servant of God. God gave her many gifts and talents, and together with her beloved husband Jeff, they expressed their love of God by loving, serving, and giving tirelessly, to so many, without expectation of return or recognition. The ministries closest to her heart that they served with passion included City Impact in the Tenderloin of San Francisco, and AOET, helping to establish and support an orphanage for children in Uganda. Beth was very active in serving her church, most recently, New Life Church of Danville. One of Beth's greatest passions was working with the children in San Francisco, whom she adored, feeding, tutoring and pouring out her heart to help them become all they were meant to be. She also sponsored five children in Uganda, South America, Mexico and San Francisco whose lives were touched by the heart of Beth. Those who knew and loved Beth would say she was one who always went the extra mile, showing radical love that was constant and selfless, a living example of Matthew 22:37-40, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind . . .and love your neighbor as yourself."
Three years ago, Beth was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer. Instead of yielding to this disease, she battled against its fury and pursued life with even more vigor and intensity than she ever had. She was an elegant warrior in her fight.

Beth is survived by her husband Jeff, her oldest son Taylor and his wife, Daniella, her youngest son Blake and his wife, Petia and her grandson, Alexander. She is also survived by three sisters, Peg, Barbara, and Kathy, and her brother Jerry and approximately sixty nieces and nephews. To know Beth, is to know how much she adored and cherished her family, and how much she loved and valued her friends, which she warmly loved, welcomed and embraced into her extended family.

A memorial celebration will be held Friday, November 11, 2011 at 2 pm at New Life Church, 2501 Danville Blvd. Alamo, California, 94507.

The family requests memorial donations in memory of Beth to City Impact in San Francisco or AOET in Uganda.
Thank you to everyone that has been there for Beth and her loving family. Blessings to all.