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 at The Chateau at the Rose Shop.
Oh my gosh so sorry my dearest Kathy. I love you so much. Be at peace. You deserve it.
Mike I pray for you and your family, she will be missed my so many. You were such a name around T aylorville. Oh the great times we shared God bless you all. You owe me a visit , I can just imagine what your experiieceing. Love ya so
Coach Furness,
I'm so sorry to read this obituary it seems like yesterday you were a newlywed and coaching me through life at Eisenhour Junior High. I pray the savior places his hands on your heart and you can feel peace at this very sacred time.
Sincerely
Mark Woodmansee
Mike and family, We were very saddened to hear of Kathy's passing. We hope that your sweet memories and the love of our savior will carry you through until she is in your arms again. You have been remembered in our prayers. With our love.
Dearest Kathy was a great friend and neighbor from the first moment I met her in 1983. We did so many great and fun things together. She was wise and thoughtful. She became a 2nd mother to my 3 daughters after my divorce. (Allie, Lindsey & Shelby). I will forever be in her debt. Love you Kathy!
Dear Mike;
I just learned of Kathy's passing. I am saddened to hear such news. She was a wonderful person-so kind and fun to be around. Your family will be in my prayers. We have worked together for so many years, that I feel that your family is part of mine. As we started our early lives together and grew into middled age teaching teens, it is hard to think that we now are approaching the time when we will pass on to the next chapters of our lives. Kathy is leading the way. Dear friend, I treasure all of the interactions that I have had with you and your family. Know that I am thinking of you and your wonderful family at this time.
