Theresa Furick (Furik), who was 92 years old, passed away peacefully at Hogarth Riverview Manor (HRM) on June 18, 2026. For several years, Theresa fought against cancer and other health issues but faced everything quietly and without complaint.
Born on August 4, 1933 in Fort William to Christina and Stefan Furik, she was the youngest of seven siblings and spent her childhood on Mac Leod Street. She went to St. Peter’s School before moving on to Selkirk High School.
Throughout her career, Theresa worked mainly at Great Lakes. She started as a keypunch operator in 1963, moved to a clerk position in the traffic department in 1971, then became a billing supervisor and assistant order supervisor until 1984, finally serving as order supervisor until she retired in 1989.
Faith and church played significant roles in Theresa’s life; she attended St. Peter’s Church for most of her life before switching to St. Dominic’s Church when she left her East End home in the early ‘90s. Every night she prayed for each family member and donated to the St. Anthony of Padua Foundation for every child in the family, each receiving a medal of St. Anthony as a result. Additionally, she was a lifetime member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL).
The Golden Girls-Theresa along with her close friends Shirley Franchi and Nella De Re-did everything together. They traveled around the world visiting places like Italy, Spain, and Mexico among others. They also enjoyed time at family camps where they sang songs while listening to accordion music or harmonica tunes and danced together.
Sports were another passion for Theresa; you could always find her watching Sports Network at HRM. She was an enthusiastic Blue Jays fan throughout her life and never missed any games. In fact, just two days before she passed away, she watched highlights from games with her great-nieces.
If you knew Theresa well enough, you’d often find her at the Slovak Legion making cabbage rolls or meatballs, signing in daily for draws or just socializing with others there. In 1968, she became part of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary where she served for over 57 years after becoming a member of Slovak Branch #129 in 1994. She joined the Ladies Auxiliary executive team in 1989 starting as Sergeant of Arms in 1990 then Vice President in 1992 before holding Presidency from 1993-2003 and later returning as Vice President again from 2004 onward. Since attending annual Remembrance Day ceremonies since 1970 as Sergeant of Arms during the Color Party procession made it special too; she received “Life Membership” from the Legion back in 2010 due to all those dedicated years.
Theresa dedicated countless hours volunteering at various organizations such as preparing meals at Shelter House (1989-2006), Christmas Cheer (1998-2008), ALS Society (1998-2008), Kidney Foundation (1996-2004), Canadian Cancer Society (1998-2005), Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (1999-for over ten years), Canadian Diabetes Foundation (2000-2005) while also delivering poppy boxes for Remembrance Day alongside sick-and-visiting committee through Ladies Auxiliary among many other contributions.
Family meant everything to Theresa; she’d cared deeply for both parents until they passed away along with many friends who left us too soon by always visiting them bringing food or helping out during medical appointments whenever possible-and never without some “biscuit” tucked into pockets just right! One fond memory shared by relatives is how we’d stop by Auntie Theresa’s home after trick-or-treating on Halloween expecting cabbage rolls waiting there ready along with cousins gathered round too! Plus one thing we loved about our Auntie was that camera she’d have handy capturing moments from events so effortlessly-it truly created wonderful memories we hold dear today!
She was predeceased by parents Christina & Stefan along with siblings Johanna Furik, Mary Foreman (Gabe), Helen Kruzel (Tommy), Amelia “Milly” Kondreska (Stephen), Stephen Furik (Vilma), Elizabeth “Betty” Burek (John); nieces & nephews Richard Foreman , Raymond Foreman , Eleanor & Ted Syrek , Thomas & Sheila Kruzel , Kenny Kruzel , Tony Watson , Lorne Kondreska , Denis Kondreska , Mary Ann Swerdlyk , Judy Furik Capancini ; David Burek ; Alan Burek plus great-nephews Ryan Kruzel & Kyle Furik along with four-legged friend Laddie.
Theresa leaves behind nieces & nephews Marie Rea(Gord) June Watson Susan Kondreska Roger Swerdlyk Ronnie Furik(Chris Mc Adam) Bryan Burek(Lorie) Lori Burek(Frank Iamonaco) Kevin Burek(Sandra Latorre) along side countless great-great-great-grandnieces/nephews alike.
A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church located at615 Connolly Street June29th2026at10:00am followed closely thereafterwith interment setfor St. Patrick’s Cemetery concludingwith celebratory lunch hostedby The Royal Canadian Legion Slovak Branch#129
The family wishes to express gratitude toward Dr. Karlene Gleeson Dr. Joseph Del Paggio Dr. Margaret Anthesalongside incredible teamat HRMBirch Unitproviding compassionate careover recentyears
You can send online condolences via www. blakefuneralchapel. com
