Alberta “Birdie” Ann Farrell, 89, of Punxsutawney, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the home of her caregiver, Ben Cook.
She was born in Rossiter on June 23, 1936, a daughter of the late Daniel Platt Cary and Alberta Fannie (Pearce) Cary.
Alberta was a 1954 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School.
She previously attended Chestnut Grove Independent Church.
Her life was a testament to perseverance, love and dignity found in honest work. She was a woman defined by her tireless work ethic and unwavering dedication to her family. Over the years she worked for both Rola Jensen and Cameron Manufacturing, even beyond her years in manufacturing, she never slowed down, continuing to clean houses alongside her daughter-a time that blended hard work with cherished companionship.
At the age of sixty-seven years, when many slow down, she laced up her running shoes and entered her first race, discovering a passion that would carry her for more than two decades. Each year she participated in the Mahoning Shadow Shuffle, Dash 4 Diabetes, Miles for Smiles, Punxsutawney Hospital 5K, Run/Walk for Someone Special and DuBois Community Days. She participated five times in the National Senior Games race, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio, 2016 in Westerville, Ohio where she took gold, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama, and in 2019 she participated in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Birdie was a local legend, she ran her final race at eighty-nine, a remarkable testament to her determination, strength and love for life. One of her favorite sayings was “Don’t tell me there is no God” a phrase that she lived by proving that her life of trials and hardship was not done alone, but through the grace of God.
She is survived by two children, Patsi (and her partner, Ben Cook) Farrell of Punxsutawney, and Todd (Tricia) Farrell of Portugal; a niece that was like a second daughter to her, Debbie (Gray) London of Punxsutawney; four grandchildren, Garrett (Bella) Zimmerman who are expecting Birdie’s future great grandbaby of Punxsutawney, Tanner (Jaysa) Zimmerman of Indiana who are also expecting Birdie’s great grandchild and great grandchildren, Hudson Bodenhorn and Brooks Wassil, Ashton (Cameron) Beers of Centre Hall and three great grandchildren, Colton, Nathan, and Haleigh Beers and Autumn Farrell of Spring Mills; one brother, Joseph Cary of Rossiter; two sisters, Kathy Huey and Linda Weigel, both of Punxsutawney; former daughter in-law, Shelly Farrell and her partner Jack Lucas; several nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Merle Cary and Fred Cary; one sister, Louella Gray.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no visitation. Arrangements entrusted to Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney
