Kathlyn McFarland, 81

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Marlborough – Kathlyn McFarland, nee Washburn, 81, of Marlborough, died peacefully in her sleep Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at her daughter's home in Magnolia. She was the wife of Rufus “Mac” McFarland for many years, and formerly married to the father of her 10 children, the late Frank J. Valianti, both of Marlborough.

Born in Marlborough in 1931, she was the daughter of the late Lyman and Margaret (Farrell) Washburn. She resided in Southborough as a child, but soon moved to Marlborough where she lived for all but the last year of her life. A graduate of Marlborough High School and active member of the class of 1949 as Treasurer, she was instrumental in organizing class reunions as well as the memorial for Korean War hero and classmate, USAF Capt. Robert W. “Red” Touchette.

She was also President of the Council on Aging and active resident of the Senior Housing complex at 240 Main St., member of the Democratic City Committee and delegate to the Democratic State Convention. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, an avid bingo and cribbage player, and, in later years, revived a M.H.S. club, the “Just For Fun Club,” which meets monthly for lunch. She had been looking forward to attending lunch and seeing “the girls” again this coming week.

She briefly attended Framingham State College before her marriage, worked as a nurse's aide in the Maternity Ward at Marlborough Hospital and, while raising her large family, worked at the M.H.S. cafeteria where she was affectionately known as “The Donut Lady.” She went on to become a bookkeeper at First National Bank of Marlborough, retiring in the late “80s.

Besides her husband, she leaves 10 children, Deborah Valianti of Brighton, Cynthia Valianti Corbett and her husband, Harry, of Wimbledon, England, Kathlyn Valianti of Magnolia, Carmel Valianti and her husband, Dr. Bruce Smith, of Ipswich, Joseph/Joerama Valianti of Newburyport, Leslie Arnold and her husband, Paul Weiss, of Andover, Francis Valianti of Marlboro, Jennifer Valianti of Atlanta, GA, John Valianti and his wife, Lori, of Marshfield and Daniel Valianti and his wife, Carol, of Newbury; 13 grandchildren, Genevieve, Katie, Carmela, Max, Delia, Kakoa, Calvin, Maya, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Olivia, Andrew and Ava. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, the late Henry J. Klim.

A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at 9:00 a.m., at the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough, and burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visiting hours are Friday, Oct. 19, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at William R. Short & Son Funeral Home (www.shortfuneral.com), 95 West Main St., Marlborough.

Memorial donations may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Dr., Suite 165, Danvers, MA 01923.

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