Carol J. (Comerford) Furniss

Carol J. (Comerford) Furniss 79, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2023 at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. She fought her 8 year cancer battle with a strength and courage that was truly inspiring.

She was born on January 22, 1944 in Peoria IL to William J & Winifred (Crawford) Comerford. She married Keith Furniss on July 8, 1990 in Las Vegas. He survives.

Carol is also survived by her children Lynn Pitcher Middleton, Debbie Pitcher Haeger, Scott (& Cheryl) Pitcher, Tricia (& Jim) Pitcher LeFante, and Jason (fiance’ Tara Vassallo) Helfter; stepdaughters Kristen (Todd) Heaton and Debbi Davis; 23 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, and one brother Bob Comerford. She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, brother Larry Comerford, sister-in-laws Shirley Comerford and Sharon Comerford, niece Kim Comerford and stepson-in-law Tim Davis.

She attended Manual High School in Peoria and was thrilled to keep in touch with her classmates in recent years at their luncheon get togethers. Beyond her career as a mother, she also worked as a bookkeeper for several Peoria area businesses and made lasting friendships with the people she met along the way. She was also able to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning an ice cream shop.

Carol was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also a great friend and had an incredible bond with her friend group. The beach was her favorite place to be, and she enjoyed 23 years of vacationing in Marco Island, FL with her husband Keith and any friends or family that wanted to join. She was always ready for a family get together. She had a special love for Christmas and her house was always beautifully decorated (with a little help from her friend Nancy). Her Irish heritage was very important to her and she was always excited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

The family would like to thank her caregivers and friends for the compassion and care that allowed her to be in her own home for the last several months.

Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded & a private interment will be held at a later date. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 5th at 4:30 pm at Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. Deacon Mark Wilder will officiate. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 3 pm. In the spirit of Carol’s love for gathering family & friends together, a celebration of life will be held immediately after services beginning at 5:30 pm at the Lariat Club in Peoria. All are welcome!

If anyone wishes to make a memorial contribution, Carol had a special place in her heart for her granddaughter’s religious path as a nun. Contributions can be made to Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Two Hearts Convent, 3098 SW 14th St, Miami FL 33145—makes checks payable to SCTJM). Envelopes will be available at the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com for the Furniss family.