Mary Furlong

Furlong, Mary L. Robinson

Mary Louise Robinson Furlong, mother, nana, and great nana, died gently Christmas morning, December 25, 2017, at 102 ½ years old, in Hillview Healthcare Center. She was an incredibly kind, generous, funny and beautiful lady who kept her sense of humor, smile—and hats—until the day she died.

Mary was born August 16, 1915, in Racine, Wis., to Raymond N. and Louise M. (Bronenkant) Robinson. She married Geoffrey H. Furlong in 1937. They had two daughters, Carole A. and Patricia A.  She and Geoff owned and operated restaurants and supper clubs in the Delavan, Milwaukee and Green Bay areas. She ended her career as the office manager for the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery department at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.  Upon retirement she returned to Delavan to live and travel with good friends, eventually moving to La Crosse to be with family.

She bequeathed to her children a passion for reading and cooking for which they will always be grateful. In her earlier days she loved to play bridge, golf, swim, and travel. Her grandchildren enjoyed baking cookies and ‘Nana cream pie with her. Always she loved hats, all colors and shapes but especially her last one, a red fedora with a rose pinned to it.

She is survived by daughters: Carole (Andre) Bial, Chicago and Patricia (R. Jerome) Boge, La Crosse; grandchildren: Thane (Michelle)Boge, La Crosse; Justin (Sarah)Boge, Colorado Springs; Blythe (Michael) Stanfel, Des Moines; and ten great-grandchildren: Tanner, Caden, Lauren and Ella Boge; Andrew, Jordan, and Teagan Boge; Joshua, Jonathan and Gianna Stanfel.

A memorial mass will be held Sunday, January 7, 2018 at San Damiano Chapel, Viterbo campus, 940 Winnebago St., La Crosse, at 1 p.m., visitation from 12:15 to time of service. Fr. Conrad Targonski will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Ridge Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Chad Erickson Memorial Park (an area just behind Hillview which Mary loved).