Surrounded by her three children, Marguerite Elizabeth (Duncan) McFarland Bradford, 91, died peacefully at her home in Staunton, Va. on May 20, 2017.
She was born on Sept. 21, 1925 in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of the late Homer Joshua and Marguerite (Coleman) Duncan. Following high school in Alexandria, Mrs. Bradford won a full scholarship to Brenau College, Gainesville, Ga. Brenau would be a life-changing experience where her leadership and intellect would be developed and recognized. She graduated with a B.S. in chemistry and began a career as a research chemist, Department of Army at Fort Belvoir, Va. where she met her husband, Frank A. McFarland. In 1956 their first born, Robert Edwin, died at age 5 and in 1962, Mr. McFarland died of cancer. During this time she was active in numerous community organizations including establishing the Northern Virginia Association for Retarded Children.
She returned to work while raising three young children with the help of her sister, Dorothy Duncan, imbuing them with love of family and a sense of adventure. She later received a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington, Seattle and retired after 30 years as a division director at the Night Vision Lab, Fort Belvoir. In 1990 she married Alan P. Bradford and moved to the Shenandoah Valley where she had always found great enjoyment.
Marguerite was truly gifted with many extraordinary talents; she was a gracious hostess, well known for her culinary skills; she took great pride in creating a beautiful home and had a life-long interest in landscape and architectural design. She was a voracious reader and an avid collector of Valley antiques. She enjoyed traveling in the Western states, particularly camping and hiking in Montana and shared these interests with her grandchildren.
Friends and family described Marguerite as someone who was truly inspirational — whether to follow a career in science or to overcome life’s challenges — she was always open to new experiences and friendships and loved and was loved by so many.
Surviving family members include son, LTC (Ret) Richard McFarland of Alexandria; daughters, Elizabeth McFarland and husband (Mike Wigen) of Bozeman, Mont., and Trisha McFarland and husband (Martin Kepner) of Chelmsford, Mass.; grandchildren, Kate, Josh and Kelly McFarland, and Martin, Duncan and Jake Kepner. She is also survived by Douglas and Helen Bradford.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank A. McFarland; her son Robert Edwin McFarland; sister Dorothy Duncan and her second husband, Alan P. Bradford.
The family thanks her long-term caregivers and Hospice of the Shenandoah. Contributions may be made to a charity of choice or Brenau University Annual Scholarship Fund, 500 WA Street, SE, Gainesville, GA 30501.
A memorial service to celebrate Marguerite’s life will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Church, 8009 Ft. Hunt Road, Alexandria with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Burial will be private.