Margaret (Peggy) Furan, aged 76, passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas on November 12, 2024 surrounded at her bedside by her husband, children, and sister. From her birth in Wichita on June 22, 1948 to her death, she nourished the people around her with humor, support, education, art, love and was considered the gold standard of mothers by her children. She was the second of five children, growing up next door to her grandparents and across the street from her aunt's family. In elementary school she was offered the chance to dance ballet in New York City, but this was quickly vetoed and humorously discussed in later years. Peggy graduated from Wichita North High School in 1966, the same year she met her future husband, Jack. Jack was a recent transplant from Niagara Falls, New York, attending Wichita State University. Peggy thought his Italian good looks and accent were 'exotic' as she described it. Married in 1969, they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in August.

Peggy held a master's degree in art education from Wichita State University and worked in various roles within the Wichita Public School District until her retirement in 2008. She began her teaching career at Pleasant Valley Junior High in 1972, later moving to Wilbur Junior High. Peggy taught with gusto about color theory, principles of design, styles, and techniques through the exploration of fiber arts, ceramics, collage, painting, and drawing. She loved teaching and her students loved her. She lifted up struggling students with encouragement, setting goals, and being a soft place to land, some students lovingly calling her 'mom'. Later in her profession, Peggy became a peer coach, working directly with new teachers in a support role to retain educators early in their careers. She retired from the role of art coordinator, where she managed curriculum, teacher placement, professional development opportunities, and unyielding advocacy for fine arts.

Peggy traveled regularly, especially after retirement. Near-to-home adventures were had at local state parks, family trips to Colorado, and visits to her children. Peggy traveled to the Czech Republic, Ireland, Iceland, Colombia, Mexico, and Belize – sometimes with family, often with her husband, and occasionally with friends.

Peggy had a lifelong love of fiber arts which culminated in +15 years of handcrafting noteworthy quilts. Both small wall hangings and large queen-sized quilts were complicated, gorgeous, and cherished. Peggy would design her own quilt blocks and had a spectacular eye for colors, textures, pattern, and tonality, favoring batiks. She had several one-woman shows in the Wichita area and presented a piece in at the Wichita Art Museum in 2020. After a stroke in 2021, Peggy learned to write again with her left-hand and in the past year began making intricate drawings, mostly of nature. Her last drawing recently completed and framed was made for her granddaughter for Christmas. She never stopped creating.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Harriette (McClure) Leisek, and her sister, Kathleen (Leisek) Gooch.

Peggy is survived by her husband, John (Jack) Furan, daughter Traci Furan (Shannon Young) of Lawrence, KS, son Jeremy Furan of Wichita, KS, and son Matt Furan (Sunshine Monastrial/Luna Furan) of Seattle, WA. Peggy had one granddaughter, Luna, the apple of her eye, who she described as having natural art ability and referred to Peggy as Nina; sister Debra Leisek (Jim Long) of Homer, AK, Jonna Leisek of Wichita, KS, and John (Denett) Leisek of Wichita, KS, a niece, many nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff, especially the nurses, at St. Francis Hospital who helped Peggy on her final, restful journey. The family would also like to thank Shawna Hansen, her dedicated physical therapist and trusted friend, who helped Peggy with her recovery from a stroke.

A Celebration of Life will be held with a service beginning at 1:30 pm followed by a reception on Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Prairie Homestead Senior Living chapel, 1605 W May St, Wichita, KS 67213.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible memorials may be made in Peggy's name to Prairie Homestead Senior Living, a not for profit, currently fundraising for a new passenger van. Memorials may be donated online at https://www.prairiehomestead.org/make-a-donation.html; mailed to: Prairie Homestead Senior Living, 1605 W May St, Wichita, KS 67213, or left at her Celebration of Life.