Katherine Jean (France) Furbay was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, on January 9,

1926, to Pat and Mary Eleanor (Clauser) France. She passed away on November 22,

2024, at her home in Yukon, Oklahoma. She was the middle of three daughters. The

three sisters remained very close during the entirety of their lives despite separation by

hundreds of miles. On December 4, 1954, Jean married the love of her life, Lonnie

Furbay. They lived the last decades of his life in Dover, Ohio. Jean began her college

career at Bethany Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Bethany,

Oklahoma. She later completed her bachelor's degree at Kent State. She worked as

secretary to her husband in his insurance business for many years, but later worked

more than 20 years as a substitute teacher for Strasburg (Ohio) Schools. She became

"Aunt Jean" to many more souls than just her nieces and nephews. She was an

accomplished musician (cellist, pianist, organist). She was famous for her Christmas

caramels, homemade noodles, and copious beautifully knitted creations.

She is survived by nieces; Jeanne Reese (Tom), and Debbie Riggs (McCall); nephew

Mike Riggs (Debbie); great-nieces, Kim Reese, Kelly Reese, Emma Riggs and Chloe

Leaman; great-nephews, PJ Riggs, Zachary Leaman, Cameron Morse and Benjamin

Morse in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie; sisters, Ann Riggs and Evelyn Courtright as well as her parents and her nephew, James Courtright.

Her family is grateful to those who, for the past 4 years, became her second family at

Spanish Cove Assisted Living. She called it "home." Mercy Hospice also provided

her with much needed compassionate care.

Memorial service to be held at Spanish Cove Assisted Living on a date to be

announced. Her life will be honored at a burial service in the summer in Dover, OH.