Just weeks after celebrating her 90th birthday among friends and family, Roslyn Farkas died on Saturday, September 8 with her family at her side.

Ms. Farkas had celebrated her birthday on August 7 with an exhibit of photography that spanned 40 years of her work. Over 100 people attended the joyous gathering held at the Claremont Manor, her home for the past 5 years. The event was covered by the Claremont COURIER and her story appeared in the August 11 publication. She had been a resident of Claremont for over 50 years.

Born in August 1922 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Farkas began working at the age of 14 to help support her family. She later worked as a legal secretary and spent many years working at the Claremont Colleges as the secretary to several professors and executive secretary to the Dean of Students at Scripps College. 

In her early 20s, Ms. Farkas followed her sister Francis to California, where she met the love of her life, Harry Farkas, a laboratory technologist. They married in 1949, eventually moving to Claremont in 1962. Here they raised their 2 daughters, Lynn and Barbara.

The Farkases loved to travel. They appreciated different cultures, connecting with people and sharing experiences upon their return. It wasn’t uncommon for them to be invited into strangers’ homes to share a meal or take a bath.

Ms. Farkas was a lifelong learner. In her 50s, she traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico to study Spanish and immerse herself in Mexican culture. She received her associate of arts degree from Mt. San Antonio College and continued to take many courses at the Claremont Colleges.

Known for her caring personality, Ms. Farkas was a lover of life. Through her poetry, art and photography, she expressed her amazement and awe of nature and the universe. During the past 15 years, she and her husband studied Theosophy, which awakened a new level of spirituality and hope.

Ms. Farkas is survived by her 2 daughters, Lynn Dasteel-Klarman of San Diego and Barbara Carlson of Ontario; and by her sons-in-law, Howard Klarman and Tom Carlson. She was also loved and admired by her grandchildren, Andy Carlson and his fiancé Jenna Hughes; Katie De Marzo and her husband Matt; and Alex and Mitchell Dasteel. Ms. Farkas was blessed to welcome the newest family member, a great-grandson, one of her greatest joys.

A private funeral was held with the family. Contact with the family can be made through the Claremont Manor.