Farmington Obituary: Vivian Furtney, 94

Vivian (Cantrel) Furtney passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2016.

She was born July 16, 1921 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey to Francis and Maria Cantrel, but grew up in Natick, MA, a fan of all things connected to Boston. In the early 1950’s, she and her husband Wayne moved their family to Simsbury where they lived for twenty years before moving to Farmington.

Vivian delighted many with her talent playing the piano, often leading boisterous sing-a-longs in her home or as a volunteer in local nursing homes. Volunteer work was a significant part of Vivian’s life. Her work extended to Hartford Hospital, Simsbury Library book sales, and the thrift shop at Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Her children have a memory of Vivian and Wayne volunteering their time to scrape mud and debris from homes impacted by the 1955 flood. Other interests included her golf group at Avon Country Club and reading. In her later years, Vivian was known as the “Book Lady” as she never went anywhere without a book in hand.

Vivian was predeceased by her husband, L. Wayne Furtney and a sister, Frances Balcom. She is survived by her children Jennifer Glick, Mariana Furtney Fyfe and her husband Steve, Geoffrey Furtney, her grandchildren Jesse Fyfe and his wife Lori, Jenka Fyfe, Luke Furtney, John Furtney, and Ned Furtney, her great granddaughters Hannah Fyfe and Megan Fyfe, and her sisters, Marion Haley and Elaine Nero.

The family wishes to thank Touchpoints at Farmington (especially Stephanie, Karen, Ruth, Stacy, Oscar, Helena, and Rosemary) and Sheila Starr at Compassus for the care they provided our mother.

The Vincent Funeral Home helped arrange a private service for the family on Friday, May 6, 2016. Please visit her “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.

Good-bye Mom. We all love you and miss you.