Kristine Furlong

Kristine V. Furlong, Ankeny, IA was born June 6, 1953 in Pompton Lakes, NJ, and died May 16, 2025.

Having determined that cancer held the winning hand, Kris elected with grace and courage not to prolong the process with chemo.  In the months since her diagnosis in January, she frequently proclaimed “I am so lucky!”  This is because the fruits of her life were not wealth or fame or professional stature, but friends.  Kris had an extraordinary gift for friendship.  The circle of love that surrounded her during her last few months included family and so many friends, near and far!

From her childhood and youth came stories of driving around northern New Jersey in her 1960 green Falcon, ending up at the Pompton Queen diner, and the beginnings of her life-long hobby of knitting. From her time at Central College (Pella, IA), were memories of her trying to order a “cawfee t’ick shake’ to the uncomprehending stare of the person behind the counter, who didn’t speak New Jersey-ese.  Her college friends appreciated her irreverent observations about anything and everything and her well-honed sense of humor. During her working years in computer programming at the State of Iowa and Pioneer / Dupont, she made fast friends over lunchtime walks and card games. As a long-time member of OA groups, her humor, compassion and insight touched so many fellow travelers. For decades, Kris hosted rowdy game nights, rich in fun and camaraderie.  Kris was also an aficionado of British mysteries, Britcoms, and puzzles.  She was also an avid consumer of audio books and a prolific knitter of everything from kitty snuggles to sweaters that were truly works of art.

Her quiet generosity of spirit shone forth in her certificate for being an 11-gallon blood donor, and her idea that “putting her affairs in order” meant figuring out who most needed what she had, and giving it to them. 

Kris was predeceased by her parents, Richard (Dick) and Evelyn (Peg) Furlong, her brother Rick, and her beloved Nan Nan.  She is survived by cousins and by her chosen family -- the women who sat quietly with her daily in her final weeks, but also all who visited when they could, offered cards, posts, calls, pictures, music, and tons of loving messages. We who accompanied her in her dying extend our profound gratitude to those who cared for her at the Bishop Drumm Care Center, and especially to her hospice nurse Erin Stegman and the rest of her hospice team.  You are the best!

Kris did not want a formal service, but a gathering to share memories and appreciations will be held on Saturday, June 7, 4:15 PM at the Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library in Ankeny, IA.  If you are unable to attend, feel free to send something you would like shared to Kris’s e-mail.  Memorials may be sent to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or to Unity Point Hospice. It would also be a wonderful tribute to give a donation of blood in her honor.