FARMINGTON – Joan G. Farrington, 89, a resident of Pinewood Terrace in Farmington, Maine, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 18, 2024. She was born on October 20, 1934, in Londonderry, New Hampshire, the daughter of Harry E. and Lucy M. (Wiles) Goings.
She was a graduate of Jay High School in 1952 where she was a majorette. After high school she worked as a secretary at G.H. Bass. On June 30, 1956, she married Earle R. Farrington. They raised three daughters and welcomed into their home three of Joan’s cousins and raised them as their own.
Joan worked for over 15 years teaching at the Red Schoolhouse, then the Chesterville School for special needs children. When the school closed, she was a caretaker for her mother and father-in-law. Joan went on to work at Farmington Shoe until her retirement.
She loved her Trinity Methodist Church family where she was an active member for many years. Joan enjoyed being a part of church lunches and suppers, Sunday school, bookwork, yard sales, entertainment, the list goes on. She also enjoyed working at the Farmington Fair in the Agricultural Building and Church Booth.
Country music, dancing, and being with family and friends; these were her happy times. Joan loved to keep busy and would help out wherever she could. That was our mother, Joan. She was a very kind and loving person and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Joan is survived by her daughters; Joyce Farrington of Wilton, Donna Paling and her husband, Gary, of Wilton, and Jane Farrington and her partner, David Parlin, of Industry; cousins, Carol Davis and her husband, Richard, of New Sharon, Charles Wiles of Garland, and Tracy Wiles of Hollis; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a special four-legged friend, Gunner. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Harry Goings and his wife, Hope; sisters, Marlene Hanson and Luscille Marquis; a cousin, Bickford Wiles; and a grandson, Paul Gordon.
There will be a memorial service at Trinity United Methodist Church, 612 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, on March 16, 2024, beginning at 10am. Memories may be shared in Joan’s Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com. Honored to be caring for the family of Joan G. Farrington is Wiles Remembrance Center of Farmington.
She was the sweetest!!! She let me call her “Mom”! My thoughts and prayers are with her whole family at this time that their memories of her will bring them peace and smiles in the days to come. She was such a joy to be around! She will be sorely missed by many.
I’m sorry to see this. Joan was just such a peach. A friend to all. She had such an outgoing personality and and shared love so easily. RIP . My heart goes out to all of her daughters and especially to Joyce. Hugs to all of you.
A wonderful lady who leaves a great legacy
Heart felt prayers for Joan’s family. She was a dear friend with a heart of gold. Her kindness and caring touched many.
she will be sincerely missed.
Joan was the kindest sweetest lady I got to know through working with her at Franklin shoe sending thoughts and prayers to the family
Joan was one of the most caring, sweetest and positive people I’ve ever known. Spending a lot of my High School years with her and her family was a great time in my life💜. I am so glad I got to visit with her not long ago. She was the same lady as she was in the past. We had a lot laughs together, and forever those memories remain. Fly high my friend, 💜Sonja
Joan was my sister in Christ since the early 70’s. She was a sermon in shoes who lived her life in service to others. She was an example of humble spirit and willing hands for God. Joan made a difference every day. She has left gentle footprints on this earth. We will continue our love for each other forever.
Joan was full of a loving energy that she spent freely on her family and many friends . She was an inspiration for and caretaker of many people. My sincere condolences to all her loved ones. May her memory be for a blessing always.
She was a special lady, always there to help one in need. Loved working with her at Trinity. I’ll miss her but know that she is with our Lord.
I am reading this obituary this morning, and was just thinking about her yesterday. I had such a nice visit with her last summer, and was thinking that I would like to go see her again when I get home from Arizona. My condolences to the family. She definitely was a sweet woman to me. We talked a lot about family rivalries, And she helped me to feel less sadness in my heart. Such a caring and empathetic woman.❣️
Miss Joan was a dear friend. We had many laughs together. I met her when she moved in next door to my family at Gary’s yellow apartment on Main St. In Wilton. When my family and I moved out into our own home we stayed in touch. Joan had a way about her that just made you want to be around her. I remember visiting her whenever I had to get sand, in the winter, for my driveway or stopping by to fix something. We spent countless hours chatting about life. I enjoyed having her join us at the Dutch Treat for an ice cream. So many memories. Even after moving to Washington State I called her quite often just to chat. As many above have mentioned, she was a very kind and generous woman. I was so sad when she went MMC in Portland. She surprised us all (including herself) when she made it through and returned to Farmington. I’ll never forget the joy of hearing her voice when she was able have calls again. What a trooper!
It saddens me that we all won’t have her in our lives, but we can all keep her alive in our hearts. I will think of her fondly whenever I’m tinkering on something or having a frosty treat. That genuine smile, in the picture above, is how I remember her. I miss my pal! Love you always Miss Joan!💕💖💗 Condolences to all her family, especially Donna and Gary. Miss you all!
I am saddened to hear of this wonderful lady’s passing from our lives but know she’s in a better place now. Sending condolences from the remaining McKinley family to Joan’s family and friends.