Susan McGrath

Susan L. McGrath (nee Fariss), 65, of Barrington, Ill., an active Barrington community member for 43 years, passed away on the 14th of December, 2015, surrounded by her family at her home. A Celebration of Sue’s life will be held on January 9th at the Barrington Hills Country Club. A memorial service will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington.

Born February 7, 1950, in Santa Monica, Cal., Sue was the daughter of Frederic T. and Jean (Colby) Fariss. She was married to Thomas J. McGrath for more than 43 years and had a daughter, Elizabeth. They enjoyed a wonderful life together in Barrington and Boca Grande, Fl.

Sue graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1972. She worked as an interior designer for many years and was Director of Facilities Planning and Community Relations for Kemper Financial Services until 1988.

Sue was dedicated to the Barrington community and contributed to numerous causes, particularly those supporting Barrington’s youth and those dedicated to cultivating the community’s beautiful green spaces. As an accomplished gardener, she was a lover of all things green. Sue took pleasure in playing golf and paddle tennis with friends and family at Barrington Hills Country Club. She enjoyed participating in Club activities and was the Chair of the Ladies 18-Hole Golf League in 2011.

She was a member of The Garden Club of Barrington and a recent recipient of the Jeanne M. Fentress Award for Service with Grace and Spirit. She was involved in initiating the Repurposing Project for the club, which provided fresh flowers for JourneyCare patients. Sue was also a supporter of Smart Farm and Citizens for Conservation.

Sue was a very active volunteer in the Barrington community, serving as a founding member and president of the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation, a member of Barrington Junior Women’s Club including acting as co-chair of both Safety Town and Barrington’s Fourth of July celebration. She was president of the BHS Fine Arts Boosters, volunteered on the Barrington Area Development Council, worked with Barrington Youth and Family Services and supported Barrington’s Relay for Life.

Throughout her six year battle with ovarian cancer Sue maintained a positive attitude, a lust for life and a wonderful sense of humor. Sue’s focus was never on her illness or how she was feeling. She was more interested in her family, friends and volunteer engagements. She never hesitated to reach out to help others afflicted with cancer and was ready to support them by sharing what she had learned fighting her disease. She always focused on the future and was still planning on wintering in Boca Grande, Fla. with friends and family.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; daughter, Elizabeth and son-in-law Matt of San Francisco, Cal.; mother, Jean Fariss, of Wilmington, N. Car.; brother, Ron (Peggy) Fariss of Houston, Tex.; sisters, Carol (Mike) Bernardi of Naperville, Ill., and Barbara (John) Lutz of Wilmington, N. Car.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Fred.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sue’s memory can be made to the JourneyCare Foundation (journeycare.org), Smart Farm of Barrington (smartfarms.org), and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (ocrf.org).

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