Louise Ellen Johnson Furman passed away peacefully Friday night Jan. 20 at the loving home of her daughter Nancy Ellen Furman Spencer after struggling for over two years with heart, back, and respiratory issues. Louise was born April 2, 1935 in Red Bank, N.J., the daughter of Adolph and Edith (Price) Johnson.
Louise grew up in Red Bank, N.J., graduating from Red Bank High School where she performed as a baton twirling majorette. After high school, she attended business school and worked as a secretary for the Assistant Deputy Finance Officer at Fort Monmouth. She was very active in the Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for many years. Louise loved music and had a beautiful voice, singing in the church choir and the Monmouth Civic Chorus as a soprano soloist.
On Oct. 6, 1956 she married Robert W. Furman and they resided in nearby Shrewsbury. In 1964 the family moved to Wenham, Mass., and in 1973, to Bristol, the town of husband Bob’s birth, where they had built a home on ancestral land on the Pemaquid Trail.
Louise was a talented artist, creating artwork in various styles and mediums. She accompanied Bob on several business trips to Europe and South America, which inspired many paintings of the beautiful places she visited. She also ran Lincoln Art Gallery which exhibited the work of several local artists in the “barn” at 17 Water St. in Damariscotta, where she worked for many years as secretary and bookkeeper for Lincoln Engineering Company.
Louise enjoyed playing tennis, skating, skiing, and boating during her younger days, and her hobbies included cooking, leaded glass, and more recently, crossword puzzles. For a time, she and Bob produced wood frame mirrors called “Reflections” which featured original oil paintings by Louise.
She was a past member and volunteer for the Miles Memorial Hospital League. She was also a member of the Fortnightly Club, an honorary lifetime member of The Friends of Colonial Pemaquid, and a long time supporter of the Bristol Area Library – she loved to read historical novels.
Louise was a prolific writer and kept in contact with her many friends through handwritten letters and cards. She will be truly missed.
Louise was predeceased by her husband, Bob Furman; brother, Arthur Johnson; and grandson, Nathanael E. Spencer.
She is survived by daughter, Nancy E. Furman Spencer of Bristol; son, Robert and wife Debra of Waldoboro; grandsons, Andrew R. Furman and wife Brenda of Windham, and Matthew R. Furman of Portland; and nephews, nieces, and cousins.
There will be a graveside service at the New Harbor Cemetery when the weather is warm, followed by a celebration of Louise and Bob at 229 Pemaquid Trail.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Louise’s memory to the Bristol First Responders, 104 South Side Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
