Joan E Furay

Joan Ella Furay, age 96, passed away on June 17, 2017 in Newport, OR. She was born in Omaha, NE to Ben and Ruth (Rosengren) Groesbeck. She attended South Omaha High School graduating in 1939. As a young girl she was thrilled to be able to visit the set during the filming of "Boys Town". She had the hand that shook the hand of Mickey Rooney! On February 15, 1941 she married William (Bill) A. Furay in Omaha. During WWII, Bill served his country on the battlefields of Europe and Joan served working at the Glen L. Martin Bomber Plant in Omaha. She was an original Rosie the Riveter! After the War ended Bill, Joan and their two sons (Daniel and William II), continued to live in Omaha until moving to Sioux City, IA in 1950. Their son David was born there and in 1958 the family moved to Chicago, IL. They returned to Sioux City in 1962. After her husband's death in 1974, Joan worked at J.C. Penney Co, in the credit and catalog department, until her retirement in 1986. Prior to moving to Newport, OR in 2004, Joan was an active member of the Nativity Catholic Church, Co-Fraternity of Christian Mothers and a Catechist of the Children's Liturgy. In Newport, she was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Joan was an accomplished seamstress, enjoyed golf, watching baseball (especially the White Sox) and Jeopardy. She was an avid reader and eagerly awaited new releases from Robert B. Parker. She loved being with people, entertaining and, even into her late 80s, baked holiday goodie baskets, hosted dinners and, of course, enjoyed "Happy Hour"! Most of all, she loved her family. She made many memorable trips visiting them in Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois and Oregon. Joan especially enjoyed the family reunions that were held at Lake Okoboji, IA, Orlando, FL and Kankakee, IL. Joan was a woman of great faith and is now reunited with her husband Bill, sons Bill II and Dave, her parents and the many friends who have gone before her. She is survived by her son, Dan (Camille) Furay; daughter-n-laws Sue Furay and Debi Furay; grandchildren Laurie (George) Pfotenhauer, Susan (Tom) Chambers, Bill (Kristin) Furay, Debbie (Paul) Bied, Kerry (Diego) Castillo and Kristin (Mike) Hand; 17 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. A memorial for Joan will be held at a future date in Missouri. Condolences can be shared online at http://www.batemanpacificview.com/notices/Joan-Furay and donations to a charity of the donor's choice.

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Joan E Furay

March 21, 1921 - June 17, 2017