Gerda Olsen Farrell

Gerda Olsen Farrell, 85, beloved wife of James Thomas ?Shorty? Farrell II, daughter of the late Hjlmar Eugene and Gunhild Louise Olsen. She was born in Drammen, Norway and moved immediately to Kragero, Norway where she was educated and spent her formative years. The family immigrated to the US at an early age where she continued her education. She graduated from Union High School in Union, NJ and attended Drakes Business School in Elizabeth, NJ. She was employed by the Travelers Insurance Company in Newark, NJ where she met her husband Jim. They were married in St. Patrick Cathedral in New York during the war. After the war they settled in West Hartford living there for 52 years before retiring to Seabury in Bloomfield. She worked for Elizabeth General Hospital during WWII. Gerda was a member of the Town and County Club in Hartford, The Seed and Weed Garden Club, and Red Oak Swim Club in Farmington. She and Jim had many wonderful trips throughout Europe. Skiing was a life long love and she started all her children on skis at an early age. She also enjoyed tennis and reading. Gerda was a great entertainer, hosting many parties and was especially proud of her Football Superbowl Party. Gerda was a constant loving presence in her children?s lives, be it Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sports, and swim meets. She loved animals especially her favorite dogs, Astro and Viking. In addition to her husband Jim of 62 years, she is survived by her children; James Thomas Farrell III and his wife Nancy and their children J.T. Farrell, Amy Farrell, Leah and Darren Bruno; Lynn Farrell Swain and her husband Garry and their children Farrell, Adam and Ryan; Douglas Adams Farrell and his wife Caroline and their children Jenny Louise, R.J., John, Kelly and Mary; Ann Louise Farrell Gallagher and her husband Paul and their children Paul Jr. and Trevor. She is additionally survived by her sister Mrs. Richard Diehl of Doylestown, PA and several nieces and nephews. She leaves many special friends she has known all her life as well as good friends at Seabury. Funeral services will be Wednesday, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Sacred Heart Church 26 Wintonbury Ave. Bloomfield. Burial will be private. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 1004 Meriden, CT 06450. Molloy Funeral Home has care of arrangements.

Gerda Olsen Farrell

October 27, 2007