Obituary of Cornelia Farmer

Susan Cornelia “Nelia” Farmer, 79, who lived in Farmington, Maine from 1980-2013, died peacefully September 3rd at Hawthorne House in Freeport, Maine, in the loving arms of her children. To an extraordinary degree, Nelia personified kindness, inclusivity and empathy, and touched many lives. She was born Susan C. Reynolds on September 19, 1941, to Cornelius “Neil” Reynolds and Martha Morgan in Evanston, Illinois. In 1970 she married Capen “Sandy” Farmer, who preceded her in death. Nelia was educated at Kingswood Oxford and graduated with a B.A. from Denison University in 1963 and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Teachers College of Columbia University in 1969. Over more than three decades Nelia was a practicing clinical psychologist in New York, Denver, and Farmington, including for the Farmington, Dixfield, and Rumford public school systems, Tri County Mental Health Services, and in private practice. She was a leading practitioner of Narrative Therapy. Nelia was a member of the Old South Congregational Church and in 2003 she spearheaded its Open and Affirming commitment at a time when such stances were not yet mainstream within the United Church of Christ. She was a founding member of a volunteer emergency response service for mental health crises. She loved reading, writing, gardening, animals, family, and spending time in nature, especially in Rangeley, Round Pond, and Farmington, Maine. Nelia is survived by three children: Elizabeth “Liz” Farmer of Portland, Maine; Richard “Rick” Farmer of Chicago, Illinois, and Matthew “Matt” Farmer of Oakton, Virginia; and five grandchildren: Kira and Laurel Farmer of Chicago; Emily Farmer Galantowicz of Baltimore, Maryland; Madeline “Maddie” and Cameron Farmer of Oakton. A memorial service will be held on June 25th, 2022 in Farmington. For further information, please contact Richard Farmer via email: richardmorganfarmer@gmail.com.