- Date Of Birth: April 27, 1925
- Date Of Death: September 28, 2021
- State: Colorado
WIFE MOTHER VOLUNTEER
Helen D. Furlong died on September 28, 2021. She was 96. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Ken. She is survived by her daughters Karen Childs (husband Joseph and grandchildren Kathleen and Drew), Lucy Smith, Patricia Furlong (grandson Jacob), and Susan Fisher (husband Rob).
Helen was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on April 27,1925; the fourth child of Anna Mary Hibert Degitz and William Harrison Bates Degitz. She was the first woman in her family to receive a bachelor’s degree; graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a degree in business administration.
Helen met Ken on a blind date in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nine months later the two married. Their 73 year love affair endured beyond Ken’s death in July 2021.
In a different generation, Helen might have pursued a successful business career. Instead, she made it her profession to support her husband and raise their four daughters, loving and encouraging each along her unique path. Helen practiced and passed on life instructions from her own mother to “do the best you can.”
Helen was a lifelong learner whose interest in the world and her community never waned. Affectionately called the “Reading Lady,” she read the daily newspaper and thoughtful periodicals cover to cover, always had a book in hand, and was one of those rare consumers who actually read the operating instructions.
After raising her daughters, Helen discovered her love of indigenous American art and history. She volunteered as a docent in the Indigenous Arts of North America Department at the Denver Art Museum for nearly twenty years and was honored with emeritus status for her dedication. She especially enjoyed seeing the spark of interest light up the eyes of a child as she explained a piece of art.
Helen was a natural athlete good at swimming, tennis, golf, downhill skiing with the family, figure skating and ballroom dancing with Ken. In her later years, she turned to water exercise classes at Apex Rec’ Center pool. She looked forward to twice weekly
She was a devoted sports fan, especially for the Colorado Rockies. The fans of Section 105 were perennial friends of Helen’s and Ken’s. Until her very last day, she knew exactly what time the game would be on TV and always wished to be back in the stands.
Ken’s military and medical careers moved the couple and their family many times to many States. Helen found her place as a volunteer in each new community, from Girl Scout leader for each of the four daughters, to school reading tutor to hospital auxiliary to museum docent. Helen and Ken’s last stop was the Villages of San Marino in Arvada, Colorado. They loved their neighborhood, made wonderful friends, and lived happily ever after for almost forty years
