Mary Farinholt

On December 27, 2020, surrounded by her family, Mary Wright Farinholt, loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She died following a long respiratory illness, which she faced with great courage, strength, and faith. Mary lived a life filled with love and laughter.

A family-only funeral mass will take place at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Dawsonville, GA, at 1:00pm on December 29, 2020 and will be streamed via the parish Facebook Live . https://www.facebook.com/CTRDAWSONVILLE

Born in Dallas, Texas on September 17, 1942 and raised by her loving parents in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mary was a devout Catholic all her life. She graduated from St. Mary’s Girls High School in Calgary in 1960, and subsequently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington in 1964. Before starting her family, her professional career began as a mathematician working on the Saturn V rocket program for NASA. While raising her family, she went on to study Computer Science in graduate school at Northern Illinois University.  This led to a long career in Information Technology, retiring from IBM in 2007. She lived in Alabama, Illinois, Florida, and most recently Big Canoe, Georgia.

Mary was a devoted and loving mother to six children and filled her life with family celebrations. She had a fondness for old things, collected antiques, and loved touring historic towns and homes throughout her travels. She enjoyed home decorating, gardening, playing bridge, and was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  She admired Mother Theresa, and Mary followed her inspiration through her work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, aiding and comforting the underserved throughout Pickens County, Georgia. She was a role model for children and grandchildren with her strong faith, gracious demeaner and celebration of family heritage. While residing in Sarasota, Florida, she met her loving and caring husband, James Farinholt (Jim) of 32 years, and grew the family with two stepchildren.

Mary was preceeded in death by her mother Anna Catherine Endom, her father Daniel Charles Endom and sister Jeanne Marie Smith. She is survived by her husband, James Sweeny Farinholt (Jim); children Nancy Wright Stephenson (Joe), Catherine Wright Neil (Dwayne), Amy Elizabeth Smith, David Wright (Ashley), Thomas Wright (Malin), Emily Wright Puckett (Fleming); stepchildren Lara Farinholt, Geoff Farinholt (Christine); sister Patricia Coulson (Richard); brothers John and Daniel Endom; grandchildren Taylor, Joseph, Connor, Ian, Cerella, Chase, Grace, Emma, Colin, Maja, Jackson, Jesper, Rory and Fenner; great-grandson Mason, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church.  Canton Funeral Home is assisting the family.