Maria Franowski Furnish peacefully passed from Earth to Eternal Rest on August 4, 2011. She was born in Rono, Poland in 1926. Maria was the daughter of Mikolaj and Nadia Franowski, a sister to Lubia, Vera and Migel Franowski. The Franowski family was scattered by the occupation of Poland in World War II, and at age 12 Maria was taken to Marburg, Germany to work for twelve years. When Allied Forces liberated Germany, Maria was called upon to serve as a multi-language Medical Interpreter and secretary aboard the USS Harry Taylor, a ship carrying refugees and war-wounded to America in December, 1950. After her entry into the United States at Ellis Island, Maria came through Maryland to Southern Indiana via sponsorship by the Spamm family in Dupont, Indiana. After marrying her late husband, Amanuel Joseph Furnish, she operated the soda fountain at Ingalls Drug Store in Madison, Indiana. After brief stays in Chicago and Indianapolis the family grew deep roots in Chesterfield in 1961. Maria was the produce manager at Pic-N-Pay Market in Chesterfield for over 20 years. She dedicated her life to caring for her children, whose only word to attempt to describe her is “precious.”
Maria attended Chesterfield Community Church of God and spent winter seasons in West Palm Beach, Florida. She was a lover of red roses, stylish hats and jewelry, all life and all people. The ultimate Pacer fan, a green thumb, animal advocate, dedicated follower of reality TV and the Food Network, Maria was an inspiration and an encouragement to all who were blessed to meet her. Her battle through years of various medical and physical adversities was a testament to her determination, strong will to live and love for life. Her quick wit and honesty endeared her to her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Amanuel Joseph Furnish, son Jeffery Jessie Furnish and son-in-law Daniel Joseph Gaither. She is survived by sons Gregory Joseph Furnish of Indianapolis, Indiana, Carroll Ray Furnish of West Palm Beach, Florida; daughters Gloria Yvonne (Woodrow) Wright of Alexandria, Indiana and Diane Furnish Walton of Clarksville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Jaime Ethan Furnish and Yvonne Marie Furnish of West Palm Beach, Florida, Matthew Gregory Furnish of Chicago, Illinois, Lana Michelle Furnish of Oak Harbor, Washington, Sarah Katherine Furnish of Mauckport, Indiana; and great granddaughter Alayna Rose Childress of Mauckport, Indiana.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Chesterfield Community Church of God in Chesterfield, Indiana on Saturday, August 13 at 1 p.m.. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the service. Rozelle – Johnson Funeral Service in Anderson, Indiana is coordinating the arrangements.