Rev. Mary Ann Farnell

Rev. Mary Ann Farnell of Vienna, passed away on August 21, 2026, at Mallard Bay Nursing Home. She was 90 years old. She was born in Cambridge on October 18, 1935, and was the daughter of the late William E. and Mary E. Brannock Murphy.

Rev. Farnell graduated from Cambridge High School in 1953. She worked at Frankel’s Dept store in Cambridge for about six months and then worked at Cambridge Wire Cloth for seven years. On February 3, 1961, she was married to Robert E. Farnell. In 1984 she and her husband were Delegates to the Peninsula Delaware Conference where she was called into the Ministry. Rev. Farnell attended Chesapeake College, Wesley Seminary and was ordained as an Associate Member and served on the Board of Ordained Ministry for 11 years. In the Easton District, she served as Treasurer and President. Rev. Farnell has served many churches in Dorchester County. In 1987, she served several months on the Secretary Dorchester Charge. From July 1987 to 1995, served the St. Thomas Charge which consisted of Wingate United Methodist Church, Zion United Methodist Church at Toddville, St. Thomas United Methodist Church and Bethany United Methodist Church. From 1996 until 2002, she served Vienna United Methodist Church, Reids Grove United Methodist Church and Elliott United Methodist Church. In retirement, she served as Pastor of the Dorchester Charge of The United Methodist Church, which consisted of Bucktown United Methodist Church, Friendship United Methodist Church and Salem United Methodist Church. Rev. Mary Ann was well known throughout the area for her gospel music singing and playing the guitar. She also enjoyed reading, gardening, the Orioles, and most importantly spending time with her family.

Survivors include her two sons Christopher R. Farnell and his wife Kari Farnell of Federalsburg, and Rev. Mark W. Farnell and his wife Theresa Farnell of Kent Island, Md.; five grandchildren Meridith (Farnell) Tilghman (Brian), Christopher Farnell (Julie), Alyson (Farnell) Whitman (Brian), Zachary Farnell (Taylor) and Joshua Farnell. She has four great grandchildren with one on the way. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Robert E. Farnell III, a brother William H. Murphy and two nephews Freddie William Murphy and Richard A. Murphy.

A Celebration of her life will be held at Zion United Methodist Church on Locust Street in Cambridge Friday August 28, 2026, at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening at the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge from 6:00 to 8:00 PM for a visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Methodist Church or the Church of your choice. Interment is private at Dorchester Memorial Park.