Sue C. McFarland

Sue Chambers McFarland was born in San Antonio, Texas to parents Roy and Tom Almeda (Jones) Chambers on March 16, 1927 and passed away from natural causes at the age of 84 in Austin on February 3, 2012.

She grew up in San Antonio and graduated from George W. Brackenridge High School in 1944 and also briefly attended nursing school in San Antonio. She moved to Washington DC and worked for the World Bank from 1946 to 1950. She returned to Texas and married W.W. "Bill" McFarland in 1951.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki McFarland of Manor, close family friend Davis Bennett, sister Jackie Eaton and nephew Duane Eaton of San Antonio, nephews Terry Eaton and Robert Williams of Austin, cousin Barbara Fink of Austin, grand-dogs Taylor and Buster and grand-kitties Ace, Izzy, Coco and Henry. She will missed by many friends including the Jimmy Reyes family of Manor and neighbors. She was the Neighborhood Watch captain and hosted National Night Out activities in her front yard.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, her favorite aunt Byrne Jones Terrill of San Antonio, numerous aunts and cousins, her husband Bill McFarland, her brother-in-law Ross Eaton, her dog Kelli and her grand-dog Emma. She has crossed the Rainbow Bridge to be with her two favorite dogs. Now, Sue, Kelli and Emma will be able to take long walks in fields of grass and flowers (Sue's favorite flower was pansies) without pain or suffering.

As a young girl growing up, Sue would visit family members who owned a dairy in the country outside San Antonio. She was not fond of the country and was always ready to return home to the south side of San Antonio. Little did she know, that her marriage to Bill would require her to live on ranches in San Angelo and Victoria and she would do her part in feeding cows and horses and driving the truck while Bill and Vicki loaded freshly baled hay from the fields. She even helped a young cow deliver her first calf in freezing weather while Bill was attending a meeting out of state. She helped Vicki with her 4-H projects and served as a group leader and homeroom mother. So Bill could attend an important meeting, she even rode his horse for 8 hours on a trail drive that was traveling from Victoria to the San Antonio Livestock Show.

Sue was employed by the State Board of Insurance from 1967 to 1987. After retirement from the State, she started the next chapter of her life when she began volunteering for RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) – an organization that connected volunteers with opportunities to serve organizations in Travis County. She loved meeting and interacting with people and she pursued her many interests with a high energy level. She leaves a legacy of helping others and will be remembered for her warm smile. Her volunteering and helping others gave her many cherished memories.

She was featured in RSVP brochures and posters, served on the RSVP Advisory Council for several terms, represented RSVP at community events and was highlighted in numerous articles in the Austin American Statesman – she was the model RSVP volunteer for 22 years until health issues in 2007 required her to stop doing what she loved and what she did best.

Sue was honored with several RSVP Distinguished Volunteer Awards including the Dr. and Mrs. John McKetta Community Spirit Award in 2009 for her significant contributions to RSVP and to the Austin/Travis County community.

She moved from the status of volunteer to paid employee at her favorite performing arts venues – the Paramount Theater and UT's Bass Concert Hall. You could find her taking tickets at Zachary Scott Theater and enjoying the talented local actor Joe York in his performance of "Rocky Horror Picture Show". At Paramount Theater, she never missed the performances of Joe Sears and Jaston Williams in "Greater Tuna", "Tuna Christmas" and "Red, White and Blue Tuna". One memorable acknowledgement of her efforts was the huge marquee at Paramount Theater that read "Sue McFarland – Thanks For Being a Paramount Star for 17 years".

She was a fixture at Bass Concert Hall as an assistant house manager from 1987 until health issues forced her to retire in 2007 at the age of 80. Imagine working until the age of 80 and enjoying every minute of it! Sue was quoted as saying, "I enjoyed what I was doing as I helped everyone else enjoy their experiences".

She never missed working a performance during the three-week runs of "Phantom of the Opera" at Bass Concert Hall and Sue could outwork all of the younger volunteers and fellow house managers during UT's graduation ceremonies each May. Graduation weekends meant working 18-hour days on Fridays and Saturdays and each year, Sue was there directing proud parents to their seats to watch their child walk across the stage.

Along with her "paid" jobs, she volunteered at the Visitor's Information booth every Tuesday afternoon at both Austin Airports where she helped greet and direct visitors from all over the world. She began volunteering at the Bob Bullock State History Museum on Friday mornings shortly after it opened. She also worked with Manor ISD students as a volunteer job coach and volunteered at the East Rural Center in Manor for many years. Up until recently, she helped with events sponsored by the Manor Chamber of Commerce.

Sue loved to travel and visited Europe with family members on two occasions, also traveled to Russia with her travel mate Richard Van Riper, and visited Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Nashville, Seattle, and visited many cities in Texas.

Sue will be greatly missed in our hearts but many are in heaven to welcome her. At her request, no services will be held. With Sue's love of animals, please consider a donation to the Austin Humane Society or to Emancipet to honor her memory.