The O'Neal Genealogy Association Newsletter

This month I have some sad news to report. One of our first TOGA members, (Since Nov. 2001) Mary MacFarlane passed away last Monday. I have corresponded with Mary for several years but have never had the opportunity to meet her. She is a descendant of Charlotte O'Neal and Abraham Holderman and

has contributed information on this family to The O'Neal Genealogy Association.

She will be sorely missed by all.....I learned of her passing in an email I received from Mary's thoughtful next door neighbor. I have attached her letter below. Included is a phone number and address if you'd like to send flowers, cards, etc.

I am the next door neighbor and long-time friend of Mary MacFarlane here in Golden, Colorado. I came across a printout of her email address book and I'm taking the liberty of sending this email to inform you, if you are not already aware, of some very sad news. On Monday of this week (July 14) Mary passed away at Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge. My neighbor, Morie, had become very close to her over the past several years and was with her when she died.

Mary had been weak these past few months and in and out of the hospital a few times with breathing difficulties and heart problems. After going to the hospital on July 2, she managed to recover enough to be taken to Bear Creek Nursing & Rehab near Golden so that she could continue getting stronger with the goal of getting her back home with some in-home care. After two days at Bear Creek, however, she had to be rushed back to Lutheran and died shortly thereafter.

Services are scheduled for this Monday, July 21, at 11:00 A.M. at Olinger Woods Mortuary here in Golden, 1100 Washington St., 303-279-4575.

If you know of someone else that should be notified, please pass this information on.

"Hello, Shelley, and thank you very much for taking the time to send this news. Mary is related to me through her connections to the O'Neal family. (Charlotte O'Neal, wife of Abraham Holderman.) I have corresponded with Mary about our family genealogy for some years now. When I started The O'Neal Genealogy Association in 2001, Mary jumped right in there to help and lend support and has proved an invaluable aid in researching our history.

I and all our members will miss her and her contributions to the group. If you could be so kind as to send me a copy of Mary's obituary I will gladly share it with our members. Please, on behalf of myself and our entire organization accept our condolences and pass them along to other family members. "

"Thanks for your reply email.I am attaching a tribute I wrote and read at Mary's service on Monday.It was well-attended by many caring friends - new and old.I will miss her very much.I passed her email address book on to her cousin, Eric Peterson, along with your email.Perhaps he will be in touch with you."