Lorraine Emily McFarland

Lorraine Emily McFarland was born in Passaic, New Jersey, September 9, 1929, the fourth daughter of Emil and Amalia Stalder. She was raised on the Navesink River in Red Bank, New Jersey, where her parents owned and operated the Stardust Inn and Tavern. The sisters inherited the property which became the Riverside Motel and Boat Docks.

Her grandfather, Emil Sr., immigrated from Switzerland through Ellis Island and established Stalder's Entertainment Center in Queen's Borough, New York City. They offered boat rentals and a restaurant/tavern, with patrons such as opera singer Enrico Caruso and singer/songwriter Johnny Mercer. Tides and Atlantic storms eroded some of the salt marsh and the rest of the land was procured to become the runways at LaGuardia Airport. This background set the stage for a notable life for Lorraine's family.

Lorraine's parents, Emil and Amalia (Mahlie), an Austrian immigrant and WW1 Red Cross nurse, worked alongside each other to provide for their extended family during the Depression Years, instilling a work ethic that served their children well. Given their roots, their family personally knew the effects of societal oppression and valued the opportunities America provides.

As a teenager after graduating from Red Bank High, she boarded a ship for England, where she bicycled through the British Isles, later admitting that hitchhiking was far easier than pedaling through the terrain. She returned stateside with $2 in her pocket and a lifetime of memories. She remained long enough to earn enough money to make her way to California where she worked for the phone company. When she returned to the East Coast, she worked for the family business until her marriage to Frank. They moved to Miami Gardens in 1953 to a house situated next to a pineapple field along highway 441. She kept the backyard covered in purple bougainvillea, which hid the calves Frank kept "pasturing" there, making the neighbors think they were rather large dogs until the mooing finally gave them away, and Lorraine was finally able to convince Frank to secure a corral in the then rural area of Davie. 

Frank's call to return to a farm is what led to the family moving to Walton County in the 1960's. Before relocating, she entered Miami-Dade Junior College as a married student with children during a time when options were limited for women. After moving to DeFuniak Springs, she continued her education at Okaloosa-Walton Junior College which was a hodge-podge of buildings with rooms large enough to conduct classes. She received her bachelor's degree from FSU in 1968. Her intent was to teach high school English but secured a position as a first-grade teacher at Maude Saunders Elementary for a salary of $3000 per year - and was glad to get it!

She retired after 25 years as a faculty member at Walton High School. During her tenure, she taught various language arts, black studies, journalism and college prep classes. In addition, she was a sponsor for WHS "Smoke Signals" newspaper, sophomore and junior classes, future nurses/medics and chartered the junior humane society.

Mrs. Mac always described teaching as a blend of preaching, acting and salesmanship. She excelled in her career and truly loved her students, many of whom remained friends through the years. Not only did she have an impact with her teaching, but she is also credited with the establishment of the first Walton County Humane Society in the 1976. When a student bemoaned how so many animals were being abandoned, she donated land and her husband relocated a wooden building to provide an initial office and kennels. Along with a dedicated group of volunteers, she operated the shelter for many years on a donation basis.

One year, Lorraine's animal rescues grew so numerous, that for their anniversary her husband installed a chain link fence and two massive dog houses to keep them contained. But she still allowed the properly housebroken pet pig Sebastian the run of the property.

Lorraine had a pivotal role, as did some others in the community, in the incorporation of the Argyle Water System in 1970. In those early days, she made out the water bills by hand. She and her husband built, and with their daughter Peggy, operated Li'l Mac's, always treating their customers with the respect they very much deserved. She loved their customers as much as she loved her students. 

Lorraine, as could her sisters, could easily produce a culinary feast, as they grew up in the kitchens providing meals for the guests at their family's taverns. Her meals were always boiled, broiled or baked. The first and only time she tried frying, she set the stove on fire and promptly returned to her preferred cooking methods. 

She loved Shakespeare, the English language, animals, classical music, reading, PBS programs, The Big Bang Theory and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, political news shows, purple and yellow colors, African Violets, the right to vote and any underdog she ever met. She spoke French and German, played the piano (hers was autographed by Leonard Bernstein while in Miami for a concert) and could whistle any standard song you can name. When the Equal Rights Amendment, of which she was in favor, was top news, she remarked, "I get to cook, clean, do dishes and laundry, iron, mop, work and pay the bills. How much more liberated would you like me to be?" She gave tirelessly of herself, never judged, and always persevered. Her heart was pure and true. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank, daughter Peggy, sisters Louise Hubbard, Edna Howland, Peggy Mulvihill, great grandson Tyler Polson, grandson-in-law Jimmy Polson, and several nieces, nephews and many in-laws. 

Surviving are her children Frankie and Judy, grandchildren Mahlie Polson, Lara Edwards, Emily Kennington and Spencer Kennington, great grandchildren Seth Polson, Nick Stepp, Noah Wilkinson, Madison Wilkinson, Jackson Edwards, great-great grandchildren River Polson, Clyde Polson and Charlie Mae Polson. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Geraldine McFarland and Barbara McFarland and much adored niece Donna Hubbard of Red Bank and beloved nephew Jack Mulvihill of Fair Haven, New Jersey, and Mary Putterer, whose gift of friendship has been invaluable.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Gentiva Hospice for their understanding, patience and grace during these past months. 

Memorialization will be by cremation. Lorraine requested donations be made to Alaqua Animal Refuge (155 Dugas Way, Freeport, FL 32439) or Animal Protection League (P.O. Box 51 Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32549) or animal shelter of your choice. Her wish was for everyone to be kind to themselves and others in their words and deeds.