Obituary of Carlene Farley
Dympna Carlene Carroll was born on New Years Day, the very first baby born in Monroe County in 1954. She was the only child from the union of the late Carson Glenn and Ruby Mable (Burke) Carroll. Carlene attended Airport High School and then cosmetology school. She was employed as a barber at Viking Barbershop in Dundee, Michigan, for twenty-nine years, before retiring in 2017.
On a hot, sunny day in July of 1988, she married Dennis Farley and they enjoyed over three decades of wedded bliss.
Carlene was an active member of Monroe Full Gospel Church, where she sang in the choir. At a young age, she taught herself how to play piano, and performed as a member at Frenchtown Missionary Baptist Church. Carlene enjoyed almost every genre of music, attending Summer concerts at St. Mary’s Park in Monroe. She spent many hours casting her fishing rod alongside her husband at Bolles Harbor. If they were fortunate enough to have caught a few “keepers”, Carlene would happily do the cooking. Frequently, they would be joined by other family members and entered into a spirited game of Yahtzee or Uno. Every Summer, Carlene, would cultivate a carefully tended flower garden, lush with peonies and roses.
Dympna “Carlene” Farley, age 67, of Monroe, passed away unexpectedly at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital on Thursday, March 11, 2021. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by her three precious sons: Scotty, Charles, and Chad Bryson.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of thirty-two years: Dennis Farley of Monroe, four daughters: Shana White of Monroe, Rianna Smith of Monroe, Leann (Cole) Whiting of Mentor, Ohio, and Amy (Matthew) Safford of Bucyrus, Ohio; two sons: Steve Farley of Willoughby, Ohio and Robert (Michelle) Farley of Mentor, Ohio; GiGi’s fifteen grandchildren; one great grandson; and her furbaby, a Papitese named “JJ” whom she received as a Valentine’s Day gift from her husband.
Friends may gather on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Monroe Full Gospel Church, 5337 East Albain Road Monroe, Michigan 48161 where she will lie in state from 10:00am until a Worship Service Celebrating Her Life at 1:00pm. Pastor Harold Raines will officiate. Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.
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