Penny Furnes

Helen “Penny” Furnes (née Pinnell), beloved by family, friends and the community she proudly served, passed away on July 21st, 2024, in her 97th year. Born November 8, 1927, in Calgary, AB to Edward Osborne Pinnell and Helen Pinnell (nee McFarquhar), Penny was the youngest of three strong, independent daughters.

As a youth, Penny loved fishing with her dad and was proud of being the only daughter willing to join him in his hobby. She competed in highland dance competitions at the provincial level. She was very involved with the Young CCF (later NDP), where she served as president for a time.

When handsome Royal Canadian Engineer Stanley “Ted” Furnes returned from WWII and joined Penny’s local bowling club, he could not ignore her vibrant beauty, and she could not resist his quiet charm. They married in 1947 and moved to Turner Valley, where they welcomed their three children, Nancy, Loyd, and Karen.

Following Ted’s work in the natural resources industry, the family moved to Valleyview, AB, and then to Fort St. John a short while later. Penny and Ted loved the intimacy and interdependence of small-town living and forged many lifelong friendships in those days.

In 1958, the family moved to Ladner, BC, where they put down roots and became involved in their new community. Despite her busy work as mom of three and secretary for the Delta Superintendent of Schools, Penny generously volunteered her time to the Voice of Women peace movement, the hospital board, the Deltassist board, and as a volunteer Deltassist lay counsellor. She and Ted were founding members of the Delta Recycling Society, where they were instrumental in the creation of Ladner’s first recycling depot. In 1960, they joined the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, where they formed many lifelong friendships. Active support for the NDP was, of course, always a given.

The Delta community honoured Penny and Ted with a going-away celebration and engraved plaque when, in 1989, they moved to Victoria, BC to be closer to their grandchildren. First stop on arriving in Victoria was to join the Unitarian Fellowship, where they made many new friends as they quickly became involved in the life of the church. Also in Victoria, Penny’s commitment to politics continued with active organizing and campaigning, including volunteer support in Andrew Petter’s office when he was MLA and support for Lynn Hunter when she was MP.

Penny was a vibrant, intelligent, strong-willed, kind and fun-loving person who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Favourite activities included dancing, playing bridge, camping, singalongs, boating holidays with friends, and cooking and baking for loved ones or community events.

Penny never hesitated to speak up for what she believed in. She loved discussing and debating current events and, most of all, being active in politics. At the Kensington, her last independent living residence, she started a current events discussion group because “Who wants to just talk about your health and the weather?”.

Penny kept her good nature until the end, accepting her increasing limitations with grace. In the hospital, as a granddaughter was telling her how much she was loved, she was able to open her eyes, smile, and say, “Love… makes…the world…go round”. We believe she was right about that. We love her, miss her, and are grateful to her for leaving us and our world better for her existence.

Predeceased by her loving husband, Ted, in 2005, she will be deeply missed by daughters Nancy Carson (Bob) and Karen (Barry Wiebe), son Loyd (Susan Morrison), grandchildren Erin, Naomi, Sarah, Autumn, Kelsey, Erik, and great-grandchildren Ellie, Nolan and Serena.

A celebration of Penny’s life will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Victoria, 5575 West Saanich Road, at 2 pm on October 5th.