Obituary: Lois Farquharson, 91, oldest female state inmate

 

 

“I can confirm that she died yesterday,” said Susan McNaughton, a state Department of Corrections spokesperson, on Jan. 5.

 

Farquharson was sentenced to life without parole in the 1971 shooting death of Leon Weingrad, a Philadelphia physician, with whom she worked and had disagreements. Prosecutors contend that Farquharson induced her lesbian lover and former patient, Gloria Burnette, to shoot Weingrad. 

Farquharson consistently denied plotting Weingrad’s murder. Burnette spent about four years in prison before being released, according to court records. 

Over the years, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons repeatedly declined to recommend clemency for Farquharson. The board’s sixth denial occurred in 2014.

Farquharson spent most of her incarceration at the state prison for women in Muncy, which is located in northcentral Pennsylvania. But in February, Farquharson was transferred to a female prison in Cambridge Springs, near Erie.

Farquharson’s advocates expressed concern that the move took a physical toll on her. They also noted that Farquharson cultivated many longterm friendships at Muncy, which were severed due to the move.

At Muncy, Farquharson worked in the prison’s law library, played the organ, directed the choir for the inmates’ Catholic and Protestant church services, volunteered as a literacy tutor, and participated in numerous charitable events.

Despite her lengthy incarceration, Farquharson maintained a positive attitude and was named “Inmate of the Year” several years ago, advocates said.