Kay Young Herring Mcfarland

Kay Young Herring McFarland, born July 11, 1947 in Ravenna and residing most of her life in Kent, died quietly from complications of cancer treatment on April 15th surrounded by loved ones and family. Kay's parents, Dayton and Helen (Haines) Young and her older brother Bob, all having been life-long residents of Kent, had died several years earlier.

After graduating from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1965, she took a position as a bookkeeper at Portage National Bank and married her first husband, John Herring, a year later. Their life together was enriched by the birth of their son, Bret and daughter, Kya. What followed soon after was a beautiful 5-year journey to Europe which began in Germany with their two toddlers, two dogs, and family friend, Earl, crammed into a "renovated" 1963 VW microbus. This adventure led to her work helping to develop and operate a residential therapy center in Germany caring for teens troubled by drugs and antisocial behavior. She later met her close friend, Ellen, with whom she taught young children in a local Montessori school until returning to the U.S. in 1976.

From her return to Kent until the present, Kay owned and operated a family business, Standing Rock Gallery, which evolved from a working art glass studio in Kent and Hudson to a successful gallery of American multimedia artwork. Her success during difficult economic times was due to the quality of her relationships with her loyal employees, with her artists represented in the gallery, and with her customers. In 2005, she married Earl McFarland, with the plan for a leisurely transition into retirement and more quality time spent with her family.
Most of us have lives that are defined by what we do…our occupations, professions, or callings. Kay's life was defined by her relationships: with enhancing artistic and natural beauty, with caring for children and animals, and with giving selflessly to her immediate and extended family and friends. Those of us who have felt this love have suffered a sudden and unexpected loss. We take comfort in knowing that she is finally resting peacefully and comfortably in her new life.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 22nd at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Elizabeth Hazelton and Rev. Douglas Fidler officiating. Her family will receive friends one hour before the services at the church. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 600 South Water Street, Kent OH 44240.