“Georgie” passed away peacefully at her home in Manteca, California, on September 2, 2017. She was surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Oakland on September 16, 1930 to Birdie Leichter House and Harvey Girvin House, the 6th of 8 children. She began working at the age of 12 as a line cook, and at 16 she started working for the Bank of California in San Francisco. The company wanted to send her to law school but she chose a different path.
Georgie met the love of her life, Lt. John “Jack” Furrer, when she was 15-years-old and they married on August 28, 1949. Jack was in for the ride of his life with this feisty little spitfire who brought so much energy and joy to their 68 year marriage! She embraced all of the roles in her life with an enthusiasm that was shared with those whose lives she touched. As a military wife she enjoyed all of the activities in the Officer’s Wives’ Club, jumping into organizing teas, dances, fashion shows, and parties. When she gave birth, she took delight in her new role and gave it her all. She made holidays, birthdays, and all of the special events in her daughter’s lives a celebration. She decorated her home for every holiday, big or small. Heart-shaped cookies for Valentine’s Day, green cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day, and turned her home into a winter wonderland for Christmas! She was a Girl Scout leader, the cheerleader mom, a school volunteer, and an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on, not only for her daughters, but for many of their friends.
Georgie had a knack for listening, and an interest in people that could turn a stranger into a friend with just a short conversation. She impatiently waited to become a grandmother, and when her grandsons were born Georgie was elated! She was there for all of their special moments: their births, school plays, sports, musical concerts, homecomings, graduations, holidays, and a wedding.
Georgie was not only passionate in her love for her family and friends, but for life in general. She discovered golf in her 30’s and enjoyed playing and organizing WPGA tournaments into her 80’s. She loved to cook, garden, travel, entertain, was clever and artistic. In more recent years, she volunteered at Doctor’s Hospital of Manteca and was a member of the Woodbridge Garden Club.
Her contagious laugh will be remembered by all who knew her. Georgie has too many nieces and nephews to mention by name but she loved them all and they will remember “Auntie Georgie” as the vivacious aunt who was the life of the party.
She is loved and will be missed by those she leaves behind: her lifelong love, Jack her daughter Claudette Conklin, son-in-law, Michael Conklin, Mike’s daughters, Andrea and Deanna, her grandson, Chase, and his wife, Emily. Also missing Georgie is her daughter, Nannette Furrer, her grandson, Grey Janowski, her only surviving sibling, “Skip” Millard House, her niece, Sherry Loomis, plus hundreds of others whose lives were made brighter by this spirited, lively, firecracker! There is a radiant new star in heaven and the Lord has embraced a spunky new angel.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, September 8, 2017
Georgianna Patricia Furrer
September16, 1930-September 2, 2017
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