Andrew John Furlong

In loving memory of Andrew John Furlong, who departed our lives on April 24, 2024. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Andy, who left an indelible mark on all the people who knew and loved him. He was born on May 13, 1971 in Edina, MN to John and Itti Furlong.

Throughout his life, Andy was smart, quick witted, funny, gentle, and armed with an amazing memory. He loved music and sports, especially tennis, and in his later years eagerly tracked and watched Minnesota teams of all varieties. Most of all, he loved his family ... Furlongs, Hartigans, Hogans & all their offshoots both near and far.

Andy's life was extraordinary, but not without struggle. As a young man, he was diagnosed with a type of schizophrenia that primarily encompassed disordered communication. More recently he battled the impact of severely diseased organs, facing all these hardships with admirable bravery and strength. He navigated them with support from his family and caring mental health professionals from M Health Fairview throughout his life and most recently with both the Southdale and University of Minnesota hospitals, and in particular with guidance from the University of Minnesota Solid Organ Transplant team. Despite the work of these kind, amazing specialists and Andy's fortitude, his body couldn't win the battle.

Andy lived well in the face of challenge, turning hardships into blessings in unexpected ways. He opened eyes to the world of mental health, providing insight that brought out acceptance, empathy and courage in others. To know Andy was a privilege and may his legacy inspire greater compassion and open mindedness.

Andy is survived by parents, John and Coletta Furlong, Edina, MN; sister Aileen Caffrey (Henry), Chicago, IL; sister, Jonna Hirsch (Brent), and niece and nephew Clare and Bennett Hirsch, Minnetonka, MN.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to M Health Fairview Fund for Mental Health Services in Andy's honor: makingagift.umn.edu/give/….

There will be a private service for immediate family and later this summer a celebration of life in Chicago, IL with his extended family.

Dance on Andy ... you will be deeply missed and always remembered.

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• Published on 05/05/2024

Jeanne Traun Grace

Grace, Jeanne Traun Jeanne Traun Grace was born October 24, 1931, to Alfred (Al) and Jeanette Traun in Minneapolis, MN. Jeanne was raised as an only child attending schools in the Twin Cities and graduating from Thomas Edison High School class of 1949. Jeanne was well-liked by her classmates and excelled in music, singing and many art disciplines. Her first known performance was on May 27, 1943, at Saint Anthony's Convent, Jeanne sang Finlandia and The Booklet arranged by Ecksteine. Jeanne was 11 years old at the time. On December 10, 1948, Jeanne was the only vocal soloist on the Edison High School Christmas concert program and sang No Candle Was There, and No Fire by L Lehman. Jeanne's mother Jeanette noted on her program "this is the night we found out Jeanne had a voice." The following Spring, Jeanne joined the original Shiek's Singing Sextet performing at Schiek's Restaurant in Minneapolis. This started a life-long pursuit of vocal study and performances in opera, oratorio and in concert. Jeanne won the Miss Minnesota competition in 1950 and competed in the Miss America pageant that same year. Shortly thereafter she married Captain William Murat Parker, Jr and from that union, three children were born: Shelley Jeanne, Heather Anne, and William M. (Rett) Parker III. Jeanne and William were divorced in May, 1960 while living in Seattle, WA. Shortly thereafter, Jeanne began singing in the Seattle area and in October, 1961, Jeanne met her future husband Neil Michael Grace while singing with Seattle Chorale. Jeanne also performed with Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Leonard Moore Chorale, and the Seattle Clarion Chorus. In 1962, Jeanne won second place in the Northwest Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions in Seattle. The next year she won the San Fransisco Opera Debut Auditions securing a contract with the opera company for the following year. Jeanne moved her family to San Fransisco to study and perform with the opera company for a year and Neil joined her to offer support and encouragement. While in the Bay area, Jeanne sang in numerous concerts, recitals and operas including the San Francisco Symphony, San Fransisco Opera, Redwood City Symphony Orchestra, and the West Coast Metropolitan Opera earning a review by Edward R. Frisbie of the San Fransisco Examiner stating "Miss Parker sang with technical facility and beauty of tone which proved near hypnotic in effect. She is an imposing figure on stage and projects her voice with fine dramatic emphasis." Jeanne and Neil were married on June 24, 1965, in Minneapolis and purchased a new home in west Bloomington, this would become the family home for the next 40 years. Jeanne enjoyed critical acclaim while performing in the Minnesota area and perfecting her craft. During this time, she performed with St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Mankato Symphony, Bach Society, Minnesota Opera, Schubert Club, St. Paul Opera, Apollo Club, Thursday Musical, St. Mark's Cathedral Church, Mankato Symphony, Minnesota Chorale, Minnesota Orchestra, Temple Israel, and the Women's Club. Additionally, Jeanne was a respected voice teacher at Hamline University for nine years and adjunct voice professor at Bethel University. She also taught privately for nearly 40 years, with several of her students achieving significant success in the vocal and performance disciplines. Jeanne was a beautiful, intelligent, creative, and loving force of life that appreciated the arts, sacred and classical music, as well as jazz and traditional pop music. She and Neil created a lovely home in Bloomington, where she raised prized roses for Jackson & Perkins, prepared gourmet meals, mastered the art of needlework, and had a deep love for house cats as well as big cats, and almost every imaginable species of wildlife. Jeanne lost her youngest daughter Heather in 2004, which caused Jeanne and Neil to relocate to a new home in the mountains of Western Montana. Jeanne continued to sing on occasion and teach privately in her home studio, although the onset of dementia started to rob her of an incredible vocabulary. Like most opera singers, Jeanne sang in eight different languages. Following Neil's death in December 2019, Jeanne's oldest daughter Shelley moved to Montana to care for her declining mother. The two were inseparable for two and a half years until Shelley's health required her to return to Minnesota and allow her immediate family to care for her. Shelley passed away in November 2022 from her illness. Jeanne passed away on January 13, 2024, at age 92 as her big, beautiful heart beat its last and end-stage dementia took her to join her loved ones and sing with the angels. Jeanne is survived by her son William M. (Rett) Parker (Charlee) and grandchildren Bach (Ela), Lara (Jake), Leah (Jose'), Nicholas, Jessica, and seven great grandchildren (Mara, Rett, Fia, Gigi, Letty, Jude, and Kaia). Jeanne is also survived by her special cousins, The Treasured Traun Tribe and their families. A dual graveside service for Jeanne and Neil is planned for May 10, 2024, at 12:15, Resurrection Cemetery, 2101 Lexington Ave S, Mendota Heights, MN. To celebrate two lives well-lived, a hosted reception follows from 1:00 to 4:00 at Axel's Restaurant, 1318 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota, MN. In lieu of flowers, Jeanne would appreciate a donation to your local animal humane society.

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• Published on 05/05/2024