Corinne "Connie" Alice McFarland's Obituary
Corinne “Connie” Alice Campbell Kamperman McFarland found peace Wednesday, January 17, 2018 after a period of declining health. Born March 4, 1921, she was 96. Former wife of William R. Kamperman, Jr. and widow of H. Neill McFarland, Connie loved people by cooking and sewing for them. Many year member of the SMU Women’s Club, a local Gourmet Club and the Dallas Quilters’ Guild (Nimble Thimbles), Connie fed folks marvelous meals and shared her skills so her family and friends could do the same. An incredible and creative seamstress, quilter and counted cross stitcher, she invested her love of color into numerous Ronald McDonald quilts for children, and helped elderly ladies piece quilts at a local retirement home.A compassionate and confirmed lover of cats, Connie adored those she and son Bill raised (as well as cocker mix Stinky), and nurtured both feral and adopted cats she and husband Neill shared.Strong, competent, determined, intelligent, witty and sometimes acerbic, Connie faced single motherhood with commitment and steely resolve. She worked many jobs to support herself and Bill, most notably as Executive Secretary to SMU Vice President R. Richard Rubottom, Jr. Her love for her son and daughter-in-law Jean surrounded and supported them.When she married Neill in 1973, her world broadened, allowing travel she relished. Members of the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (founded in 1970 by husband Neill), they honeymooned in Japan, revisiting in ’85 and ’88. In 1978, Connie delighted in exploring England through the “SMU at Oxford” program.A Memorial Service will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her name be made to the ASPCA, www.aspca.org, or the Japan/America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth, www.jasdfw.org. Survived by son William R. Kamperman and wife Jean, step-daughters Sharon Groves, Anna McFarland and Marsha McFarland, several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren, step-nieces and nephews. The family wishes to acknowledge the special care provided by Sherri and Jeff Smith. Connie’s gracious and friendly manner will be missed by the many she touched.
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