Elizabeth J. Farr

Elizabeth J. (Liz) Farr, born in San Francisco on May 21, 1940 passed away on March 7, 2013 after an incredibly courageous battle with an extended illness. Preceded in death by her parents William J. and Joann Franzen Williams. She was raised in Mill Valley and Kentfield, California. She and her husband Alwin were married on Christmas day 1974, a love for each other that was enjoyed for over 38 years. They were the proud parents of a daughter, Erin Skye Farr of New Orleans, La., and her son Brian T. Burns of Palm Desert, California. She is also survived by her grandson Brett Burns of California, and her dear cousin Judy Smith of Seattle, who was much more like a sister to her, and many other extended relatives.

Liz was employed early on as the executive secretary to the Director of the Marin County Medical Society in California. She graduated to being an accomplished medical transcriber in four separate disciplines and was so engaged for 11 years. After doing some private contract work for lawyers in the bay area she became a legal secretary, and eventually a paralegal.

She and Al moved their family to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where she continued her legal career, and became a volunteer for the Hospice of North Idaho with Al. She eventually went to work with Al in his private investigations business as the Office Manager. After helping with the successful growth and sale of that business she and Al moved to Seattle in 1994. Shortly after arriving she became the Human Resources Director for the Sandollar Corporation in the Ballard area of Seattle. In 2006 she was appointed Office Manager of the Greenwood Senior Center in Seattle.

Liz was a multi-talented person in so many amazing ways. She exhibited an artistic flair that manifested itself several times over. She became interested in photography watching her husband’s camera work in his business. Then the CEO of the Sandollar Corporation happened to be a world renowned photographer in his own right, and she learned many valuable lessons from him. However, something she had that cannot be taught was the imaginative concepts of natural photography. Liz even set up her own dark room to develop black and white film, and became passionately involved with special lighting techniques, but most enjoyed nature’s presentation of light for her work. Many of her photos will be on permanent display at the Greenwood Senior Center.

As if her career path didn’t keep her busy enough she always found time to maintain a comfortable home for her family. She loved having dinner parties, playing Pictionary, Scrabble and other board games. A voracious reader she kept the King County Library system very busy. Her infectious sense of dry humor was always evident at the most appropriate times.

One of Liz’s most loved traits was her ability to listen to and take on any challenge, and somehow make it come up as a positive. She was an energetic and exacting organizer, but always managed to make it seem easy to the many who she happily mentored. Her office was always open to those who had serious problems that needed solving, or often those who just wanted to stop by and hear her cheerful voice. She never missed an opportunity to reach out to help someone in need.

While all of the above activities might have been too much for many it was not so for Liz. In 2012 she heard about a genuinely worthwhile endeavor called the Genesis Project. Recently started by a few wives of police officers and their husbands, at least 66 young ladies have been successfully removed from the depths of trafficking thanks to their efforts. Liz was as proud as could be of her accomplishments with this group right up to within two weeks of her passing.

A true and meaningful Celebration of Liz’s Life will be held at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St., Seattle, Wa., on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Live music, food and an abundance of love and sharing of Liz’s memory will be the primary theme.

Remembrances may be made to:

Liz Farr Memorial Fund
c/o Greenwood Senior Center
525 No. 85th St., Seattle, Wa 98103
Phone: 206-297-0875

Genesis Project
P. O. Box 6449, Kent, Wa 98064
Email: info@gpseattle.org
Contact: Robin Schildmeyer – 206-326-0977