GAY FARNSWORTH 1954-2008
Teacher also gave time to causes
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
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ARLINGTON -- Gay Farnsworth, 53, died Wednesday in a Dallas hospital after a three-year battle with breast cancer.
Mrs. Farnsworth was a first-grade teacher at Wimbish Elementary School for 30 years before her retirement in 2006. She was named the Star-Telegram's Woman of the Year that year. Several students sent letters nominating her for the award.
In her letter, student Lilly Bailey wrote: "I wish I could be a teacher like her. She came into the room every day with a smile on her face."
Her positive attitude and friendliness were trademarks, friends said.
Scott Murray, a longtime sports news anchor who now owns a media production company, recalled meeting Mrs. Farnsworth 25 years ago. They worked together on many nonprofit benefits, and Murray called Mrs. Farnsworth "the ultimate Mrs. Positive."
Murray said his sister died of breast cancer at age 38, and he recalled a conversation he had with Mrs. Farnsworth after her diagnosis.
"She was looking for all the information she could get and was almost apologetic about calling me," he said. "That was Gay, always concerned about the other guy."
Jeff Williams served with Mrs. Farnsworth on the River Legacy Foundation board of directors.
"Gay brought so many gifts to the foundation, such as organization, leadership, fortitude and hospitality," he said. "She had the gift to energize a group of people to work for a common cause while making each person involved feel very special."
Mrs. Farnsworth volunteered with several organizations and was known as a successful community fundraiser.
When she served as chairwoman for A Taste of Arlington in 1997, she doubled the amount previously raised at the benefit for Theatre Arlington and the YMCA of Arlington. She volunteered with the Junior Woman's Club, Dental Health for Arlington, the American Heart Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, the Arlington Baylor Club and many other organizations. She was a member of the Junior League of Arlington and was chairwoman of its Holiday Magic benefit in 1992.
Mrs. Farnsworth received several awards for her hard work. The American Heart Association presented her with the Heart of the Year Award, the President's Award and the Distinguished Service Award, and awarded a research grant in her name. She received the YMCA of Arlington's Leadership Medal and was honored with president's awards from both Theatre Arlington and the Junior League.
As an educator, she was named Teacher of the Year, received the PTA Life Member Award and was an Arlington ISD Education Foundation grant winner.
In 1997, Mrs. Farnsworth was honored for her volunteer work by the Women's Shelter with a Legacy of Women award.
At the luncheon she told the crowd how important it was for her to try to make a difference.
"My mother always instilled in me that it's important to give back to the community, and I have tried to live my life that way," she said at the luncheon.
"There's also a saying that I try to live my life by: 'A living is what you make; a life is what you give.'"
She is survived by her husband, Gene; and her mother, Maud Gibbs of Glen Rose.
Services
Visitation is scheduled 5-7 p.m. Monday at the Junior League of Arlington's Center for Community Service, 4002 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Services are at 3 p.m. Tuesday, at First United Methodist Church of Arlington, 313 N. Center St.
asummers@star-telegram.com
