Vanessa Farrow

In loving memory of Vanessa Farrow, we are saddened to announce her passing on July 11th after an 11-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and more recently Breast Cancer. She is survived by her husband, Ralph Farrow Jr, two children, William Farrow and Wendy Martinez, a grandson, Joey Martinez, and a son-in-law, Joe Martinez. She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence Smith, and Rev William Smith.

Vanessa retired to Arizona with her husband 16 years ago. She had a passion for art all her life. After her AD diagnosis she participated in art engagement programs and classes at the Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Symphony, and Banner Alzheimer Institute until entering an assisted living home in June 2015. She also participated in a clinical trial for 5 years at Banner Alzheimer Institute.

Born in Syracuse, NY, Vanessa started public school in Syracuse, attended high school at Northfield School for Girls, and transferred to Pebble Hill School in Syracuse where she graduated as class valedictorian. She continued her art passion at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, particularly in fashion design, graduating with a BA. in 1959. She continued her art interest at Cornell University graduate school.

Vanessa taught art at middle schools in the Syracuse and Utica, NY area, and Andover MA. She met her future husband in Syracuse, and they were married by her father, a retired Dutch Reform Church minister. She then moved with her family to Andover, MA where she lived for 4 years, and then moved with her family to Portsmouth, RI where she lived for 32 years.

A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, July 18th, 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 South Litchfield Road, in Goodyear, Arizona, that will lead into the funeral service. Burial services will be held on Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 at 10:00AM at West Resthaven Cemetery, 6290 West Northern Avenue in Glendale, Arizona.