Margaret E "Midge" McFarland

Margaret (Midge) passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 6, 2024, about 10 days prior to her 97th birthday. Margaret was born on June 17, 1927 in Bangor Maine to her mother Lena Alvaretta Tyrrell Mingo and father Russell S. Mingo. Margaret was predeceased by both of her parents, her brother James Austin Mingo and brother Horace (Hodie) Edward Mingo.

She leaves behind many friends and family members including her four children, Ross McFarland of Concord, Scott McFarland along with daughter in law Juliana McFarland of Henniker, Barry McFarland along with daughter in law Kathye McFarland of Florida, and daughter Margo Bowie of Concord NH. She also has 6 grandchildren, Derek McFarland of Hancock NH, Sean McFarland and his wife Kim McFarland of Sunapee NH, Christian McFarland and his wife Mallory McFarland of Newport NH, Jessica Proulx and her husband Joseph Proulx of New Boston, Meagan McFarland of Concord NH, and Natasha Bowie of Portland ME. She was also blessed with 7 great grandchildren: Brody, Carter, Daisy, Landon, Alexia, Lilly and Madeline. As well as her many nieces, nephews, and their children, from Maine, Florida and beyond.

Margaret married in 1947, and they moved from Millinocket Maine to NH in 1958, where the family eventually settled in Concord. Margaret worked at Sprague Electric in Concord in the early 1960’s, and later was a representative for the NH WIC program until she retired in 1996. 

It goes without saying that Margaret lived a long life, but more importantly, her life was rich with family. Nothing meant more to her than the children she raised, the grandchildren she helped to raise and being the Matriarch that she was to us all. Her heart was big, she loved fiercely, laughed loudly and her home was always a welcoming safe haven no matter what. 

Margaret was known by many nicknames over the years. To the immediate family she was Mom, Nanny, Gram, or Muffin. To the cousins, nieces and nephews she was usually referred to as aunt Midge, and thought of as a “hot ticket”. If you are a friend of the McFarland family from the West Concord days you may know her as “Mrs.”, and remember the hours of card games, or playing basketball in the driveway until it was dark. The big yellow house was a place that all of our friends wanted to be, some considered it a second home, and everyone always felt comfortable, and that is all because of Midge. 

Some fun facts: Margaret was always a “Mainer” at heart, always up for lobster rolls and lighthouses were one of her favorite things. She sang in the church choir for several years at the West Congregational church in Concord. In her younger years, she loved playing horseshoes (and usually won). Whenever she cooked a meal it was always enough to feed an army. In more recent years, Margaret was extremely sharp for her age and continued to drive a car until she was 91. It was commonplace for her to be cranking the Elton John CDs as she buzzed around town to go shopping or visiting. 

We are grateful that we had so many years with her and are very grateful for the memories and humor that she passed along to us. She was one of a kind, and will be deeply missed by all.

SERVICES:  There will be a celebration of her life on Friday, June 14, 2024 at the Cremation Society of NH, 172 High Street in Boscawen NH from 4:00-6:00 p.m. - all are welcome.