Cynthia Howell Farr

Cynthia Howell Farr’s light has been extinguished and she left the building on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Cyndy was born in Fayetteville, NC, on November 18, 1947, to the late Marvis and Kathryn Howell. She has an older sister, Darlene Hunniecutt and a younger brother, Marvis Howell, Jr. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her goddaughter Kathryn “Kitty” Moore. She is survived by her first and third husband, Alton James “Jimmy” Farr and her previous yet second husband Robert Dell’Anno.

Her love for her children, Kathryn Lakey and Christopher Dell’Anno extended to Christopher’s husband Fred Dell’Anno and were her greatest joy. Her grandchildren Kara and Jack Lakey came in a very close second. The only thing older than her love for her children and grandchildren was her love for her older best friend of 65 years, Sarah McKeough and her family.

There are countless names we could list of people that have touched her heart and life in some meaningful way, you all know who you are and she loved you very much. She only had 2 children but she was “mom” to all of their friends to the day she passed. Her life was an adventure with so many great memories. She loved to dance, travel, sit and people watch with a cold drink in her hand and tell the stories of her life. One of her favorite spots was a placed called The Gazebo near the French Quarter in New Orleans. It’s a shaded spot with a live band and great drinks. It was one of her happy places and if you ever get to New Orleans, please stop by, have a margarita on the rocks with salt and listen to the music play. Don’t forget to tip the band – it was important to her to show them support.

Music was prevalent in her life. Growing up her children heard The Embers, The Supremes, Rolling Stones, Neal Diamond, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Joel, and in later years, Jim Morris. She passed this love of music to her children when she took them to see Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers in the 1980s.

The beach was also a special place as well. Her parents had a place on Topsail Island where she spent her teenage summers. Her children spent many summers there in their younger years as well. She lived on or the near the water with Jimmy for many years in the Fort Myers area on the west coast of Florida. The island life suited her well and they had many happy hours on the water. However, the distance from family and the ever-present threat of a hurricane were reasons to move back to NC.

Purses, shoes, jewelry – real or costume, were her passions. She had great taste but an even better knack for a bargain. She was going to get what she wanted, but she sure wasn’t going to pay full price for it.

Then there were her other children – her pets. She was preceded in passing by her cats Bimini and Hobie and her beloved dog, Jib. At the time of her passing, Cyndy had two young cats, Big Red and Itty Bitty, who miss her and her generous servings of kitty snacks greatly.

Her family would love to hear your stories and memories of a life fully lived by Cyndy. Feel free to share them any time, we may laugh or we may cry, but her memory will live on for those she loved.

We invite you to join us for a gathering of friends & family in the Chapel at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, on Sunday, February 18, from 1:30 - 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the following charities, the SPCA of Wake County or SarahCare of Raleigh, by using the links below, under 'Donations'.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Cynthia, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.