M. Jane Farlow

M. “Janie” Farlow, 76, of Meridian, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Janie was born May, 28, 1949 to Ruth and Don Farlow in Clarinda, IA. She developed a can-do attitude, partially fueled by her dad whom she always proclaimed to be the first “women’s libber”. She was encouraged to try new things, regardless of what the gender norms were at the time; a story line that would continue throughout her life. She learned at an early age how to work hard. She always had a keen desire to help her dad at work, often offering to help him on farm calls for his butcher shop and later wanting to wash windshields at the Farlow 66 filling station. Janie’s love of horses started in Iowa, where she learned to ride. (She remained involved with horses, owning several over the years, until selling her acreage in Eagle.) When she was 7, the family moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL, where they stayed until 1960 before relocating to Idaho.

Settling in Nampa, Janie attended Nampa High School where she graduated in 1967. She was a good student and an involved student body member, including the National Honor Society, Cheerleader, and band member. Although few women found themselves in the brass section, Janie chose to play the trombone and was proud of her All-State status. She was active in the Job’s Daughters organization where she held the title of Bethel Honored Queen.

After graduation and time at the University of Idaho, Boise State, and NNC, Janie stumbled into broadcasting. She worked at local radio stations as an on-air talent and an advertising sales person. She hosted a show on horsemanship on PBS for a short time before taking a step into network television at KTVB Channel 7. She became the first woman in Idaho to sell TV advertising, a fact she was more than happy to tell people. Janie had countless stories about the difficult process of climbing the ladder in a business where she was not being taken seriously, but climb it she did. She remained professionally motivated and ultimately became the Regional Sales Manager in charge of Boise, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. Television was a passion for her.

Janie had many hobbies and interests. She was an avid skier who had the surgery scarred knees to prove it. She enjoyed woodworking and giving her creations to loved ones; she always had a project going. Janie also earned her pilots license and enjoyed the credentials.

She worked on several successful local advertising campaigns, but none more successful than Parma Furniture. Becoming the spokesperson around 1975, she continued as the voice of the local retailer for decades. You may still see her on TV from time to time. Most longtime Treasure Valley residents would recognize Janie as the Parma Furniture lady, “Where buying is like having a friend at the factory”.

Janie was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth, her father, Don, and her brother, Steve. She is survived by her nephew, Andrew, her niece, Kelly, and her God Kids; Ben Adams and Kirsten Gable.

Due to a military deployment of a close family member, the Celebration of Life is tentatively planned for next spring. If you’re interested in attending, please leave your name and email address in the comments, so we can let you know the details when they become available.