On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, our loving mother, Kathleen (Kathy) Fisher Furness, passed away at the age of seventy-four. She is survived by her husband, Michael John Furness, her three children, CoriLyn, Eliot, and Tyler, her eight grandchildren, and her one great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by sons Ryan and Alex, and beloved dog, Sugar.
Born on August 25, 1948 to Blaine and Velma Fisher, Kathy was raised as a country girl on what her children consider the farm in West Point, Utah, with her three brothers and two sisters. She married Michael on December 21, 1972, in Ogden, Utah.
In the midst of raising her five children, she finished her higher education and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Elementary Education. In addition to using the knowledge she gained from her schooling to raise her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher before turning to a career as the lovable lunch lady at Taylorsville High.
Kathy loved reading, piano, puzzles, sewing, and crafting, not to mention collecting stacks and stacks of Better Homes & Garden magazines, unused cookbooks, and limitless albums of Christmas music. She had a wonderful fascination for fiction (both literature and film). She was known for her generosity and loved to indulge her friends and family members for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. While Kathy had many passions in her life, her greatest love was certainly her children and grandchildren. She was a loving mother who supported her children’s academics, attended every sporting event, and spent countless times in the great outdoors camping, boating, hunting, and fishing with her family.
She had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and expressed it often. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in various callings and capacities all throughout her life.
Dearest Mother, we hope you packed everything you need for your trip to the next life; knowing you as we do, we are certain you have everything you need (and then some!).
We love you, and we will miss you until we meet again!
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.), Sandy, UT 84092. A visitation and viewing will be held from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, a graveside service and dedication will follow from 11:30 AM to Noon, and a celebration of the life of Kathleen Fisher Furness will be held afterwards.
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Cindy Lou Poliska
I did not know that Kathy and passed until today 11 Dec 2023. I actually had a dream last night that I was coming to visit Kathy in their home on Hugoton where we had been neighbors for many years.. This morning, I decided to try again and locate a mailing address so that I could mail Kathy and Mike a Christmas Card having lost touch for couple of years. When I did a search her life story and obituary was what I found.
My deepest sympathies for Mike and their children and grandchildren at this tender time as this year will be their first Christmas without her. Kathy and Mike were the best neighbors and I loved spending time talking with her about our children.
'Til we meet again.
Colleen & Wally Sessions & family
I did not know that Kathy and passed until today 11 Dec 2023. I actually had a dream last night that I was coming to visit Kathy in their home on Hugoton where we had been neighbors for many years.. This morning, I decided to try again and locate a mailing address so that I could mail Kathy and Mike a Christmas Card having lost touch for couple of years. When I did a search her life story and obituary was what I found.
My deepest sympathies for Mike and their children and grandchildren at this tender time as this year will be their first Christmas without her. Kathy and Mike were the best neighbors and I loved spending time talking with her about our children.
'Til we meet again.
Colleen & Wally Sessions & family
I did not know that Kathy and passed until today 11 Dec 2023. I actually had a dream last night that I was coming to visit Kathy in their home on Hugoton where we had been neighbors for many years.. This morning, I decided to try again and locate a mailing address so that I could mail Kathy and Mike a Christmas Card having lost touch for couple of years. When I did a search her life story and obituary was what I found.
My deepest sympathies for Mike and their children and grandchildren at this tender time as this year will be their first Christmas without her. Kathy and Mike were the best neighbors and I loved spending time talking with her about our children.
'Til we meet again.
Colleen & Wally Sessions & family
I did not know that Kathy and passed until today 11 Dec 2023. I actually had a dream last night that I was coming to visit Kathy in their home on Hugoton where we had been neighbors for many years.. This morning, I decided to try again and locate a mailing address so that I could mail Kathy and Mike a Christmas Card having lost touch for couple of years. When I did a search her life story and obituary was what I found.
My deepest sympathies for Mike and their children and grandchildren at this tender time as this year will be their first Christmas without her. Kathy and Mike were the best neighbors and I loved spending time talking with her about our children.
'Til we meet again.
Colleen & Wally Sessions & family
Dear Mike, we love you and your family. Kathy was a strong influence for good in our lives. We had the still but unmistakable impression that as she stepped into the Spirit World, some wonderful boys were there to welcome her with open arms. God bless you through this temporary trial.
Larry and Marsha Nielsen
I’m saddened to see that Kathy passed away. I’m sure this will be
hard for the family, especially Mike!
I sorry but l won’t be able to attend
because of extenuating circumstances.
Mike,
I will not be able to make it on Wednesday. I am very sorry to hear of Kathy's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Mike, Corylin, Elliot, and Tyler,
Sending my condolences to you at the loss of your sweet mother and wife. Kathy is a sweet lady and a good friend. I enjoyed our friendship. May the Lord bless you and comfort you at this time.
Sorry to learn of Kathy's passing. I have many fond memories of Kathy along with Mike and the entire family. Hunting, fishing, boating, cabin at Bear Lake, camping, mission farewells and homecomings, marriages, funerals (Ryan and Alex), sporting events from little league thru high school, jeep rides, Harley rides and much more. We will miss you, but in the Lords due time be together again. Love and kind regards to Mike, Corilyn, Eliot, Tyler and entire family.
Uncle Gordon and Janna Furness.
Furness Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have very fond memories of the Furness family from my childhood. Mike taught me how to swim as a little girl at the Taylorsville High pool. CoriLyn was the older pretty girl in the neighborhood that us younger girls looked up to in awe. Eliot was my age and my favorite memory was having one of many of our boys vs girls food fights from our respective backyards. This mainly consisted of peaches and tomatoes we had stolen from our parents gardens. I distinctly remember hearing Kathy yell at Eliot out the back door and I knew he was in trouble (which meant the girls won)! The Furness family was always a staple growing up in the old neighborhood. Known for being good neighbors and even better people. Sending your family a big hug at this incredibly difficult time.
Condolences,
Sandi