Dorothy Farnon — 1926-2014

It’s not often that it’s a good thing when people associate you with Scrooge. But Scrooge is the legacy of Dorothy and Brian Farnon.

Dorothy Farnon

Dorothy Farnon died Jan. 3. She was 87.

Brian died in 2010.

The couple wrote an original production of “Ebenezer Scrooge”, which was staged of Harrah’s Lake Tahoe from 1982 through the late 1990s. It was a productions that is still talked about today by those who saw it or were in it.

Dorothy was born in Pennsylvania on Aug. 26, 1926. She and her family later moved to Chicago where she began taking dance, gymnastics and piano lessons. Being a gifted lyricist from a young age, she wrote the alma mater for her university.

In Chicago she danced at Chez Paris where she met her future husband, Brian Farnon, who was performing alongside such notables as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

They moved to Los Angeles where she continued her dancing at the Moulin Rouge. She later formed The Farrells, a song and dance duo.

Dorothy was a talented choreographer and lyricist, teaching hundreds of students to dance and perform.

She and Brian wrote the Christmas song “Christmas Land” performed by Tony Bennett.

Dorothy, Brian and their sons moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1967. She had a thriving dance studio in South Lake Tahoe for many years, presenting annual recitals.

She will be remembered for her quick wit, love of animals and people, life, and Christmas.

Dorothy was philanthropic, donating to such organizations as Barton Memorial Hospital, Lake Tahoe Humane Society, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, and Lake Tahoe Boys and Girls Club. To continue this tradition, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s name to: Lake Tahoe Humane Society, P.O. Box PET, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158 or Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, 1485 Cherry Hills Circle, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.

Dorothy is survived by her sons, Michael and Brian Farnon; grandchildren, Matthew Farnon and Meghan Farnon Tompkins; great-grandson, Brody Tompkins; and stepdaughters, Sharon Crigler, Charmian Carr, and Darlene Parker.

There will be an open house to celebrate Dorothy’s life on Feb. 8 from 10am-1pm at Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline. Click here for details and to RSVP.