Mary Anne Phillips McFarland was born April 6, 1807 in Kaysville, Davis County, Utah. She lived with her parents, Willard R. and Rose Green Phillips in Kaysville until her marriage to John R. McFarland on May 22, 1926 in Salt Lake City. Then she moved to West Weber.

She longed for a family of her own but was unable to have one. About 1944 (during the war years) she took two little children, Christy, age 3, and Frank, age 20 months, into her home and was a loving and conscientious mother to them.

Of all the virtues Mary possessed, her industry and service to Others came first. She worked in the fields in the summer time and also helped milk a herd of cows. During the canning season she worked at the canning factory. She helped her elderly father build a lean-to onto the side of the house to provide more bedrooms. She painted and hung wall paper in her own home as well as in the homes of her relatives and friends. She was a beautiful seamstress and helped others with sewing.

The devotion she gave to her mother and sister, who both died after a lingering Illness with cancer, was outstanding. She also gave her aged father loving care in her own home.

For over 20 years she lived in part of her mother-in-law's home and brightened her life by taking her many places in her car.

Mary was a Primary teacher for several years. She also served as secretary to President Erma G. Taylor in the Relief Society from February 18, 1940 to March 14, 1943. She was a dependable Relief Society visiting teacher for a number of years. Mary belonged to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

After suffering with cancer for several months, Mary passed away May 18, 1954 in West Weber after she had reached the age of 47 years.

Source:

In The Bend Of The River

History Of West Weber 1859-1976