New Mexico: Delores A. Furlong, 85, died peacefully on January 22, 2014 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She was born in Manhattan, NY the daughter of the late John Furlong and Pearl Violet (Cobb) Furlong.
Delores grew up in Connecticut, moving to New York City later in her teenage years. While living in NY, she pursued a career in real estate and moved west to California to continue her career. While in California she became involved with the Casino nightlife, working in the Rainbow and Horseshoe Casinos in Gardena, California. She worked her way up from a chip girl to a card dealer and eventually gave that up to semi-retire to Ontario, California.
In 1990, she fully retired and moved west to Las Cruces, New Mexico. This is where she found her true calling as a line dance instructor and choreographer at the Munson Senior Center in Las Cruces. She formed the live dancing group known as the Chili Peppers, They competed in numerous Senior Olympics on both county and state levels, winning first place in the count competition. Delores was an independent and creative thinker, full of life. Whatever she did, she did with great dedication and vigor. She was someone you could always depend on. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Delores leaved behind two nieces, Rhonda Van Buren and her husband Robert of Northborough and Cheryl Ramalho and her husband John of Ashland. Also, two great nieces Sarah Van Buren of New York, NY and Jill Ramalho and her husband Timothy and son Ryan all of Ashland. Two great nephews, Adam Van Buren and his fiancé Meghan Farrar of Somerville and Scott Ramalho, his wife Susan and two sons Jonathan and Christopher of Northbridge. Also a cousin Janice Pulsifer of Marlborough and her two sons Scott and Brian Pulsifer of Marlborough. She is predeceased by her mother Pearl Violet (Cobb) Furlong, her father John Furlong and sister Jeanne Gallagher and her husband Vincent.
Her funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 1:30 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte 30), Wayland. Interment will follow in the Gallagher - Furlong family lot in Lakeview Cemetery in Wayland.
Donations may be made in her honor to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, 840 El Paseo Road, Suite D, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001.