Julia F.  Furcha

Julia Frances “Franny” Furcha of Mecklenburg passed away in Carrollton, Georgia on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at the age of 92.

Born in Montour Falls, New York on July 20, 1919, Franny was the daughter of John Edwin and JoAnna (McCarthy) Miller. She was a 1936 graduate of the Trumansburg High School, and later worked at the Ithaca Public Schools and Cornell University.

Franny provided a lot of support to her husband Arthur who was one of the founding members of the Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Company. Franny was very active in the Company’s Ladies Auxiliary and EMS services (being awarded Top Responder for 20+ years), and served more than 20 years with the NYS Fire Police Assn. As the first female volunteer firefighter in New York State, Franny has served her Company as Past President, Past Secretary, truck captain, and Fire Police Captain. She was also a member and Past President of the Schuyler County Fireman’s Assn., as well as being a member of FASNY for over 56 years. "Franny Stories" told by fellow firefighters, community members and family will warm the hearts of those who knew and loved her for generations.

In addition to her sons, John Arthur (Rae) of Whitesburg, GA and Jere Louis (Gail) of Colorado Springs, CO, Franny is survived by six grandchildren, Jacqueline, Melissa, Kathy Jo, Joelle, Jennifer and Valerie; 19 great-grandchildren, Charity, Brandon, John, Joseph, John, Nathan, Grant, Julia, Sarah, Cecelia, Eric, Caleb, Joshua, Seth, Dylan, Beverly, Elijah, Haley and Elliana; nine great-great-grandchildren, Dylan, Bethany, Emily, Hannah, Cayden, Logan, Asher, Chandler, and Ian.

The family will be present to receive friends from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012 at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. Services will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 9th at the Mecklenburg Fire House, 4495 County Rt. #6, Mecklenburg with the Rev. Cheryl Hine officiating. Prayers of Committal will follow at Grove Cemetery in Trumansburg.

Those who wish to make a contribution in Franny’s memory are asked to kindly consider the Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 108, Mecklenburg, NY 14863.

For additional information, please contact the funeral home at 1-888-534-5446 or www.ness-sibley.com.