Mary E. (Furman) Harkness

Mary Furman Harkness, of Bentley Creek, Pennsylvania, passed away at the Bradford County Manor in Burlington on Saturday, November 27, 2010, from complications of Parkinsons. She was 88 years old. Mary was a lifelong resident of Gillett, Pennsylvania, where she ran a dairy farm in partnership with her husband, Dana J. Harkness, who died in January 1989. She is survived by her six children, Marletta Harkness of Long Beach, California, Butch and Barbara Harkness, Wendell and Donna Harkness, Bradley and Rebecca Harkness, Brenton Harkness and Nathan and Carol Harkness, all of Gillett, Pennsylvania, grandchildren LaRue Harkness, LaVerne Harkness, LaVonne Harkness, Loren Harkness, Lorinda Harkness, Clint Harkness, Jodi Harkness, Chad Sterling, Marsi Hammond, Daniel Harkness, Scott Harkness, Jenna Harkness, Macy Harkness, Alori Harkness, Thomas Harkness and Chelsea Harkness, 22 great- grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Norman Harkness, sister-in-law, Shirley Furman and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary was predeceased by her parents, husband Dana Harkness, a brother Gordon Furman and several brothers and sisters-in-law. Born Mary Emmavieve Furman, on May 5, 1922 to Howard and Bertha Furman, who died in 1981 and 1989 respectively, Mary worked on her fathers farm in Checkerville and attended local schools. Her brother, Gordon C. Furman, of Waverly, New York, was a building contractor in this area and died August 2009. Mary graduated from Troy High School and she and Dana were married in January 1943, after which they worked the farm on Thompson Hill East of Gillett for the next 46 years, raising prize registered Jersey cattle. After Danas death, Mary ran the farm with her sons, retiring to Bentley Creek in the mid-1990s. Mary excelled at homemaking and was an expert cook, baker, seamstress and gardener. The family still hears praises for the four loaves of fresh bread Mary baked three times a week for almost 60 years. She also appreciated music, poetry and politics and encouraged her children and grandchildren in their educational and business pursuits. Mary laughed easily, was always busy and was especially good with children who could always count on cookies, a meal, an interested word and a warm smile from her. She attended Gillett Baptist Church when she could. Family and friends are invited to her graveside services that will be held on Friday, December 3, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in the Gillett Cemetery, Route 14, Gillett, PA with Pastor Alan Goss and Pastor Charles Root officiating. The family will provide flowers and memorial contributions are directed to the Gillett Baptist Church, Rte. 14 Gillett, PA 16925. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Roberts Funeral Home, Inc. 279 Main Street, Wellsburg, New york 14894.