Virginia R. McFarlan, 95, a 69-year resident of Sweet Home, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2026, in Salem, Oregon. She was born in Fargo, North Dakota on August 27, 1930, to Leone (Sands) and Tracy W. Johnson.

Her family moved to Corvallis, Oregon in 1938. Virginia had warm memories of her childhood with her beloved sister, Barbara. She graduated from OSU in 1952 with a degree in Home Economics. In 1953 she married Earl McFarlan, then moved to Sweet Home where Earl practiced law. With the couple’s two daughters, Candice and Alice, they enjoyed camping, boating, water skiing and snow skiing with family friends. She was very involved in Girl Scouts in the 1960’s. Virginia excelled as a seamstress, sewing her own costumes for the “Chips and Splinters” shows in 1967-68. She planned many fashion shows in those years and was known for her creativity and decorating talent. She was an adult educator, teaching classes for LBCC in microwave and gourmet cooking, and entertaining. Due to her community involvement, she was honored as “Woman of the Year” in 1967. Virginia was a charter member of P.E.O. Chapter DD and played bridge with the “Thursday Bridge Girls” for 60 years. She also was an active member of St. Francis Episcopal Church. Faith, family and friends were very important to Virginia, and she loved organizing and planning celebrations.

In her later life, Virginia traveled throughout the US, often through the Elderhostel program. Highlights were studying Native American Cultures in the Southwest and going to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada to see polar bears.

She happily moved to a “cottage” at Wiley Creek Community in 2006 and later moved into assisted living there. In 2022 she moved to Memory Care at Boone Ridge Senior Living Community in Salem.

Virginia is survived by her daughters, Candice (Robert) Snyder of Sweet Home and Alice (Mike) McKinney of Salem, grandchildren Nathan (Luisa) Snyder, Joseph (Kathryn) McKinney and Megan McKinney all of Salem and Caitlyn Snyder of Portland and 3 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl McFarlan, infant daughter, Mary Ann and sister, Barbara Blevens.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Friday, March 13, 2026 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity of your choice in her name. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.