BANGOR – Born June 3, 1911, in Prescott, Lebanon County, Pa., to Ralph and Katie (Hibshman) Brown, Alice A. Farver died March 21, 2008, in Bangor, at the home of her youngest daughter, Sandra G. Farver, with whom she lived since 1994. Alice was married to Clyde M. Farver for 55 years before he died in August 1986. She was also predeceased by her son, C. Lawrence Farver, who was married to Barbara Hoskin Farver; a granddaughter, Barbara J. (Fantom) Fry; and 11 brothers and sisters. Surviving are three daughters, Martha A. Farver-Apgar, wife of the late Charles S. Farver-Apgar of Elizabethtown, Pa., Joan M. Fantom of Lancaster, Pa., and Sandra G. Farver of Bangor. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, as well as two sisters. As a young woman Alice worked in dress factories and as a waitress in a Masonic Lodge dining room. In more recent years, she worked as a nurse’s aide in two facilities and then was handpicked to be the first recreation aide at the Crippled Children’s Hospital, Elizabethtown, Pa. After retirement she worked part time at a child care facility. After her second retirement, not willing to sit and rock, she sold hot dogs and soda inside a “super” supermarket and became known as the “Hot Dog Lady.” She was a member of St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ, Lancaster, Pa., where she was active until she moved to Bangor. Other places where Alice volunteered included the MS Society; three different nursing homes in Pennsylvania at the same time; at Eastgate Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Bangor; and with others at Hammond Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ; preparing meals for Shaw House, Bangor Emergency Shelter and the monthly free lunch, at which she welcomed the guests with her presence as they shared the meal. Alice had a treasure trove of American poetry, stored in her memory bank, which she learned as a child in her one-room school. A chance remark, a sight, some happening would call to mind a particular poem, which she would recite in its entirety to the amazed delight of whoever happened to be nearby. In the last few years of her life, a favorite was “The Landing of the Pilgrims,” which she would recite with deep feeling and expressiveness. Alice had a unique sense of humor, which continued through the final months of pain and dementia. She lived her Christian faith in the way she related to everybody she met, especially the marginalized. Her heart was filled with love, compassion, acceptance, generosity and gratitude. Her family is most grateful for the compassionate care she received from St. Joseph Hospice Care and Premier Home Care. Alice donated her body for research to the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford. Her ashes will be buried in a private ceremony at David Myers Cemetery, Elizabethtown, Pa. A memorial service was held at Hammond Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Bangor, and a second was held May 24, 2008, at St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ, Lancaster, Pa. Memorial gifts may be made to Hammond Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Bangor, ME 04401.
ALICE A. (BROWN) FARVER
