Obituary of Mary Furrier

Mary Furrier, 1932 - 2013 | Obituary | Condolences. Mary Furrier, born January 17, 1932, in Smiths Falls, Ontario,Canada, passed away early Christmas morning, December 25, 2013, at home in Tucson, Arizona. Mother to 9, grandmother to 24, Mary was an ever-present cheerleader, servant, luminary, entertainer, guardian, seamstress, reader and sometimes ringleader to family, longtime friends and adopted relatives (especially those far from home). She took great pride in all of them and provided a model for serving and loving others for a lifetime. Her love for Jack remained strong throughout 60 years of marriage. The promises of this young man in white shoes drew her far away from Canada, and the pair ultimately called Tucson their home. He made good on his promises to fulfill her love of theater, adventure and travel to faraway places. Truly a renaissance mom, Mary instructed her children in the proper use of both hammers and words. Understated and at times underestimated, her gambler's instinct and powers of encouragement helped launch and leave her indelible mark on the business she co-founded. Her faith was tested, yet she remained steadfast despite loss of a brother, a child, and friends in addition to her final courageous battle with cancer. Ever grateful to all who cared for her, Mary is survived by husband, Jack; children: Michael (Joelee), Richard (Franny), Leslie, Thomas (Cheryl), Gregory (Jennifer), Jeffrey (Rhonda), Sean (Tammy), and Timothy (Sarah); siblings: Celine, Margaret, Charles and Sandra. Preceded in death by infant son Joseph; parents, William and Anne Monaghan; siblings: John, Frederick, Edward, Patrick, Michael and Anne. Services for family and friends will be Saturday, January 11, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at St.Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5150 N. Valley View Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Reachout Women's Center or Reading Seed (Literacy Connects.org). Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.