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JOREE…
Mrs. Joree McFarlin, retired housemother of Florida Upsilon, passed away
Friday, March 12, 1971.
Joree was not only the warm considerate person who provided a home away
from home for SAEs but
also was a tradition in the finest spirit of our fraternity. For over 30
years Joree provided the guidance and strength that made our fraternity
great.
Joree retired when the new chapter house was built because she could no
longer climb the many and steep stairs. However, her devotion to our
house continued and in the fall of 1970 she returned. The Active Chapter
could not find a suitable housemother, and Joree consented to assume the
position. The greatness of Joree was demonstrated once more. New
Brothers that knew her only by name saw immediately why Joree was so
revered by the Brotherhood.
The death of Joeree brings tears to the eyes of all Brothers. The memory
of the first lady of Florida Upsilon will be with us always. And it can
truly be said, that we are better men for having known her.
THE MAGIC OF JOREE…
Jorees spirit is exemplified by a poem written in 1960:
JUST YOUNG OF HEART
I hope the time will never come…When I am old and gray…I mean not in the
physical…And senile sort of way…I would not mind a cane or crutch…Or if
my hair was white…OR if I found it difficult…To see the nearest
light…But, oh, I pray my spirit young…will never disappear…That I will
not surrender hope…Or yield the least good cheer…If I can still be young
of hear…No matter what my age…I shall be able in some way…To earn my
daily wage…As long as I can be of use…To my community…I do not care how
old my bones…And body get to be.
From: A copy of the Lion’s Roar of the
Florida Upsilon Alumni Association printed and circulated to the SAE
Alumnae at the time of Joree’s Death.
SAE Mother Dies at UF
GAINESVILLE
Mrs. Joree McFarlin, 75, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
housemother at the University of Florida for 34 years, died here
Friday, March 12, 1971.
U.S. Senator George Smathers, former state senator and gubernatorial
candidate Doyle Carlton, Jr. and Doug Dickey, a former head football
coach at the University of Florida, were among the thousands of UF
alumni to live in the SAE house during Mrs McFarlin’s service to the
Fraternity.
The Fraternity has established a scholarship fund in her name.
TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT 3/14/1971
Letter from J. Robert
McClure, Jr. on Funeral for Joree:
click here.
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