Wednesday, January 28, 2026 4:31 pm

Marilyn Martha Bernard McFarland, age 79, of Shelby, passed away January 23rd, 2026 at Wendover Hospice House. Marilyn was born on May 3rd, 1946 in Pueblo, Colorado, to the late Allen and Betty Rice Bernard. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Shelby. She worked as a secretary and library assistant at Battleground Elementary School in Lincolnton for 20 years where she shared her love of reading with young learners. She also worked as a lab technician at Wayne Hospital in Ohio for 15 years earlier in her working life. Aside from a love of reading, Marilyn enjoyed crossword puzzles, baking and loved animals, in particular cats.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Larry Duane McFarland, her daughter Megan Anne McFarland, of Santiago, Chile, her brother Jim Bernard of Amity, Maine, her sister Peggy Dorsey, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the chapel at Carpenter Porter Funeral Home on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 3:00 PM with Rev. Asher Panton officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 2:45 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com