Page 21 - 20-21 Annual Report

Perhaps the most
talented writer of the
Furay sisters was Clare.
“She had a regular
column in the
newspaper,” Jean Furay,
mother of the Furay
sisters, recalled proudly.
“She could scramble
together an exemplary
essay for Rhetoric during
Members of the Furay family at Clare Furay’s University of Notre Dame graduation in 1995. a study hour just before
class,” Elizabeth added.
And while the Furay family always expected to read joyful,
witty and thoughtful pieces from Clare, they didn’t expect to
be creating a book of her writings in her memory so soon.
In heaven, we would talk to many intriguing people…
After graduating from Cor Jesu in 1991, Clare attended the University
of Notre Dame on an ROTC scholarship and studied history. She
then entered the Navy and served mostly as a supply officer,
stationed in San Diego. When her four-year obligation to the Navy
was close to an end, Clare had many options for her future. At that
point, she was earning a nice paycheck as a full lieutenant and
could remain in her position. She was also offered a full scholarship
to the Saint Louis University School of Law. With two solid and
fruitful choices in front of her, Clare chose a different path.
Heaven would have work to be done…

“She was quite religious and had a passion for volunteering,” Alice said.
“Because of her strong faith, she really wanted to make a difference
for people, so she decided to join the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC).”
In August of 1999, Clare moved to Baltimore with the JVC to
begin her volunteer work in affordable housing. She kept in
touch with her family, of course, through letters and emails.
There would be mail, but no junk mail…
In her spare time, she enjoyed jogging. On October 8, 1999,
Clare was on her route and the unexpected happened. She was
struck by a car. Immediately, a doctor, who a witness found in a
nearby store, tended to Clare in the street. She was transported
to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center and her parents were on
the first plane to Baltimore upon hearing the news. Clare was on
life support and died the next day. She was just 26 years old.
In my heaven, all the best parts of life
would greet me every morning…
Devastated, the Furay family was “grasping at straws,” as Suzanne
remembered, to make it through. They found comfort in donating
Clare’s organs to others in need. And later, found solace in carrying

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