Remembering Jen Furlong Our Beloved Sister & Friend |
| Jen was born in Richmond California on July 31, 1954 and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area during the Sex, Drug and Rock 'n Roll era of the 60's and 70's. As a young girl she found herself alone quite a bit so she learned to fen for herself and depended on her wild imagination for comfort as well as survival. She was also full of mischief and always ready for fun or excitement. Jen moved to Carson City Nevada after she met and married Michael Furlong on July 16, 1982. She later gave birth to two sons, Jake and Nick, who are now grown men living on their own. Jen came to The Sacred Circle in the summer of 2003. She took part in many of our circles and retreats and was initiated in the Goddess Tradition on Candlemas, 2005. She often opened her home for Moon Circles and loved offering creativity circles and great cooking to the women. Jen's religious path was Women's Spirituality, Ancient Ways, and the Celtic Earth based traditions of the Goddess & God. She practiced TM meditation and loved to make jewelry, wands, and Crafts with raw materials from the Earth. Jen was also a computer wiz and showed me how to build our Circle website. She loved to draw, oil paint, garden, cook, decorate her home, listen to music, watch movies and visit with her neighbors. Jen loved her family and home with a passion. She was a devoted wife, homemaker, mother and grandmother and will always be remembered for her good cooking, warm hospitality, loyal heart, kindness and generosity, love of animals & birds, sunny disposition, radiant smile, soft voice and gentle spirit. Jen struggled with the disease of alcoholism for many years, which created serious complications with her health and eventually took her life. She attempted sobriety many times, but finally entered recovery & stayed on September 18, 2010. In her last months of life, Jen was blessed with spiritual insights that brought inner peace, serenity & gratitude to her final days. When she passed away she had put together 6 months and 4 days of sobriety back to back, of which she was very proud. I administered Jen's last rites on Monday night, March 21. and she died peacefully 2 days later with Micheal nearby. Jen crossed into the arms of the Great Mother on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, just before 10 am. She was survived by Michael, her husband of 28 years; her son Nick... her son Jake and his wife Holly, and her granddaughter and grandson. In Love, Trust and Service ... Lady J |
| These are the most recent pictures taken of Jen, at her home, in the fellowship & with her family, her most favorite places to be. |
| Above Left: Jen & Bosco on her porch - Right: Mike & Jen on Beach Below: Jen leading the Labyrinth procession at Sacred Earth Retreat |
| I really liked Jen - she was such a gentle soul and the world will be a poorer place without her. But I'm sure, now that her Spirit is flying free, that she's still smiling - That's how I will remember her ~ Daria Luna ~ |
Jen... Thanks for always having the coffee going, you will always hold a special place in my heart for what you did for me. I love you and will miss you! Go now my friend and play with the fairies! ~ Moon Raven Rose ~ |
| To Jen... ... my wonderful sister who taught me how to roar and also how to purr with contentment. Love you always. ~ Night Eagle Soaring ~ |
| Hey Jen, I miss you so much. I think about you every day, your little laugh, your soft voice, your hugs. I wish I could hug you now, or laugh with you. I love you. See you later. ~ Spirit Wind ~ |
Love You Sista... Thank you for the love and laughter... ~ Monique McComas ~ |
| In my brief moments with Jen Furlong, she always smiled, and she was a very generous, unselfish person who inspired me to do better myself. Jen was an artist and blessed with special abilities. I loved her little dotson pups and she had the most beautiful tables throughout her house that Thomas made special for her. She loved animals and plants, and she gave a lot to her family and friends. I feel like I had known her a lot longer than brief moments, because it was evident in her life what she had done for so many others, and what she had done for the Sacred Circle. She will be in my heart and thoughts for sure. Jen, thank you for sharing your pups with me, and your beautiful plants. Thank you for inspiring me to smile no matter what, and for being grateful. We will all miss you so very much. ~ Rain Song ~ |
| Remembering my Friend Do not grieve me, for now I am free, I follow the path Goddess laid for me, I took her hand when I heard her call, I turned my back and left it all, I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work , to play, Tasks left undone must stay that way I found my peace at the end of the day If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy, A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Oh yes, these things I too will miss, My life was full, I savored much, Good friends, good days, a lovers touch, Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it with undue grief, Lift up your hearts and peace to thee Goddess called me home, She set me free ~ Bellaluna, 2011 ~ |
I would like to offer my condolences to Mike Furlong and his family. I really enjoyed knowing Jen. We would go for a short walk at one of our gatherings and she would teach me how to make things out of a twig. Her bed window frame was always full of new things she had made with the earth while being at the event. She would have a picture frame, made out of leaves and twigs, and a dream catcher, all made out of twigs and nature. She had a way of making you feel good, and was a very easy going lady. I will miss her. ~ Marilyn King - San Jose Clan ~ |
| Damn, I am so sorry Jen passed away... At least she is free of her demons now tho... I will miss her.... ~ Epona Lupa ~ |
Jen... We'll miss you most at Samhain, when the boundary turns to sheer, When at last the veil is parted at the closing of the year, When the space between the worlds makes it easy to appear, Yes, we'll meet again at Samhain, when the boundary turns to sheer... ~ Lady J ~ |
| To Jenny.... Leo Lady from the South I'll miss our fun and laughter, the memories of your gentle ways will linger ever after... Lovely Lioness and Queen I'll miss your radiant smile your patient ways with time to spare in tasks that took awhile... Sunny friend and confidant I'll miss our mountain walks, the moments spent in forest groves in hopeful, honest talks... Lady Annwn Willow Swan I'll miss the kindness shared, your gifts of generosity and optimism rare... Domestic Goddess of the Arts, with a heart that opened wide, your courage in the face of death forever will abide... Freckled brown eyed Sister, your sweet memories will remain in my mind and heart and soul 'til merry meet again... Dance freely now sweet sister... JoAnna |
| Jennifer didn't really die.... just her liver... She has a very strong spirit and her memory will live on in my mind and in my heart for a long time to come... ~ Thomas ~ |
| Jen... Thank you for loving me and accepting me as I am. I really cherished our friendship and I will miss you very much. Until we meet again sister... ~ Annie, X O ~ |
| Dear Jen- I remember the first time I met you up on the ridge at Rachel's. We were paired up to talk and I really enjoyed being with you... your gentle spirit was so evident. Your gifts of creativity amazed me and your smile was so contagious. What a beautiful soul you are. ~ Eagle River Wind ~ |
Jenny... May the winds of the high desert carry you safely home to the Summerlands... May the sunlight of her bright spirit guide you safely on your new path of eternal bliss May your soul be cleansed & healed as you bathe in the refreshing waters of the afterlife... May the Earth & her people continue holding the memories of your goodness & grace in both thought & deed... May the ancestors & wise ones who went before you welcome you home... Blessed Be |
For in the depth of our hopes & desires lies our silent mystery of the beyond... and like seeds dreaming beneath the snow, our hearts dream of spring. Trust the dreams.... for in them is hidden the gate to eternity. For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind & to melt in the Sun? And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides that it may rise and expand and seek the Great Mystery unencumbered? Only when we drink from the river of silence, shall we indeed sing, Only when we reach the mountain top, shall begin to climb... And when Mother Earth claims our limbs, then we shall truly dance! ~ The Prophet ~ |
