Rosie (Strange) Farlow

Betty Rose Strange Farlow

June 27, 1928 - April 7, 2021

Betty Rose "Rosie" Strange Farlow, 92, of Paoli, Indiana, passed away peacefully at her home on April 7, 2021. The daughter of Harold and Mary Marshall Strange, Rosie was born in Orleans, Indiana, June 27, 1928. 

Rosie was a lady who was given many names during her life, and she responded to all with love. She was raised in Orleans, Indiana, and graduated from Orleans High School in 1946. While her parents called her by her given name of Betty Rose, her brother Larry gave her the nickname "Bep." Her Orleans family and friends called her Betty, but she acquired another name when she met the love of her life, Raymond "Bud" Farlow. 

She was an Orleans Bulldog cheerleader, and Bud was a Paoli Rambler basketball player. Through their encounters as opponents on the basketball court, a spark was ignited into a lifelong flame that lasted 68 years until Bud passed in 2016.

Bud chose to call her Rosie, and they wed August 6, 1947. When they put down their roots in Paoli, the name Rosie stuck. In later years, Bud often referred to her as "Rosabell," usually when he was teasingly reminding her that she was the real boss of the family. As their family grew, so did the list of names. Over the years, Rosie learned to respond to Mother, Mom, Momma Rose, Mammaw Rosie, and Mammaw Ro-Ro. Each name was given and accepted with love.

Rosie was employed at Indiana Handle Company from 1963-1970 as the bookkeeper. When she decided she wanted to venture into the business world, she purchased a women's apparel store in Orleans, Indiana, and named it Betty's Shoppe. She enjoyed her time and success as an entrepreneur, but in 1977 she sold the business to spend more time with her family.

An accomplished seamstress, Rosie made clothes for her daughters when they were younger, including elaborate Easter Parade outfits and Halloween costumes. She loved quilting, shopping for antiques and collectibles, and rooting for her favorite sports teams.

Rosie loved music. She said this must have come naturally because her mother was listening to an Orleans Band concert the night she was born. She enjoyed listening to music so much that in her later years she had her own playlists on Youtube that she listened to on her IPad. Just listening wasn't enough, so Rosie learned to play the piano.

While all of these things brought her great pleasure, some of the most memorable moments in her life were when she was traveling. From early family vacations to Florida with their three daughters to the five trips she made to Canada with Bud to fish, Rosie explored, absorbed, and captured the experiences in many, many scrapbooks.

She and Bud traveled the United States often in a motorhome. They visited every state except Hawaii and North Dakota. Family members and friends often accompanied them on their excursions, and all came home with an understanding that if you traveled with Rosie, you were guaranteed to have a wonderful time.

Rosie is survived by three daughters, Karen Doan, Kathy Seacat (Eldon), and Sara Purdom (Allan); seven grandchildren, Todd Trinkle (Melanie), Chad Trinkle (Richard Pompa), Andrea Price (Tony), Evan Seacat (Samantha), Kelsey Cook (Michael), Emily Purdom, and Nick Purdom; and eight great-grandchildren, Cooper Trinkle, Grant Trinkle, Bryant Trinkle, Tyler Price, Lincoln Seacat, Calum Price, Scarlett Seacat, and Olivia Cook. Rosie was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond "Bud" Farlow, her parents and two siblings, Larry Dean Strange and Jimmie DuWayne Strange.

A lady of great faith, Rosie was raised a Baptist, and when she married Bud she became a member of the Paoli Friends Meeting where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. No matter the denomination, Rosie maintained her relationship with her Lord through prayer and music. One of the last songs she played on the piano, at the age of 92, was "Amazing Grace." She was a true testament of a woman who lived a rich and fulfilling life.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm, Sunday, April 11 at Dillman-Scott Funeral Home at 226 West Campbell Street, Paoli, IN.  Interment will follow at Paoli Community Cemetery in Paoli.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 10 from 4-7 pm and Sunday, April 11 from 12 PM until time of service.

At the funeral home. Masks and proper social distancing are preferred.

Memorial contributions may be made to Paoli Friends Meeting at 301 Gospel Street, Paoli, IN 47454.  Online condolences may be offered at dillmenscottfuneralhome@yahoo.com.

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