Obituary: Alice-Jean 'A.J.' McFarlin

Alice-Jean “A.J. McFarlin, of Longboat Key and formerly of St. Louis Park, Minn., died May 31. She was 82.

Mrs. McFarlin was born June 24, 1929, in Detroit, to Charles C. and Alice C. Brandon. She received her degree in elementary education from the University of Delaware in 1951. She married Robert McFarlin in 1952, and they settled in 1960 in Minnesota. In 1976, she received her master’s degree in library science from Mankato State University.

Mrs. McFarlin had a distinguished 20-year professional career as the audio-visual and computer librarian at the Blake Schools in Minneapolis. She retired in 1995, and the McFarlins established permanent residence in Florida in 2007. In retirement, she tackled the challenge of developing and directing the library at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, where she was hard at work 10 days prior to her passing.

Mrs. McFarlin was an active volunteer in organizations, including PTA, Girl Scouts, the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda Club and the Sarasota Historical Society. She had an interest in family history and was a skilled genealogical researcher. She was also a gifted “crafter” as a seamstress, knitter and in needlepoint, leaving behind a collection of beautiful projects.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Jeffrey Sepeda Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert; sons Charles and Robert Jr.; daughters Nancy Diener and Judith Murray; and 11 grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. June 20, at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the All Angels by the Sea Legacy Fund, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.