FURNALD, Verna
1929 – 2025
Ms. Verna Bernice Furnald passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the age of 95 years. Verna was born on July 18, 1929, in Calgary, Alberta. At three weeks of age, she was adopted by Vern and Rose Furnald of Turner Valley, Alberta. At the age of nine years old, her beloved brother, James ‘Jim’, was born. She had a happy childhood with a large extended family and many friends. She claimed she gave her mother many grey hairs as she was a bit of a brat. School was on her dislike list but with the help of a schoolteacher at Sylvan Lake, she graduated High School. In 1954, she attained her Registered Nurse and Psychiatric Nursing Diplomas from the Brandon Mental Hospital, Brandon, Manitoba. After working there, and in Detroit for five years, she returned home to work for eleven years at the Bentley General Hospital. She spent nine years as Matron and then another sixteen years at the Rimbey General Hospital. During those years, some of her favorite volunteer jobs were Cub Scout Leader, camp nurse, and teaching First Aid. In 1961, she met the love of her life, Sheila Muzychka, and they had sixty-four happy years together. They enjoyed family time, camping, fishing, hiking and travelling many parts of the world together. Most important to Verna was her family. She loved her three generations of many nieces and nephews. She loved nothing better than getting down on the floor or outside for a play. She was always the biggest kid of them all. Her greatest pleasure was seeing them all grow into the kind, caring, successful adults they have become. Verna loved family occasions and times at the family cabin at Sylvan Lake. Sports were a passion. She attended many hockey, ball, and soccer games of family and friends kids. The dance performances of her great nieces were also a passion. She was an ardent garage saler and never came home empty-handed. If it wasn’t perfect for home, it was for family, or maybe friends across the street. In retirement, Verna played clarinet and alto saxophone in the Golden Music Makers Band and the Community Band. She volunteered at the Sylvan Lake Health Unit, Flu clinics, and at figure skating competitions and curling events. In her final week, she was always surrounded by her beloved family and friends and enjoyed many trips down memory lane with them. As a nurse, Verna believed you cared for both the patient and their family and that is the excellent kind of care she received from the Heart Function Clinic, EMS, Emergency at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, Unit 24, Unit 32 and the MAID team. Our family is so grateful, and we thank you all. Verna will be lovingly remembered by her spouse, Sheila Muzychka; her Muzychka, Furnald and Farm Families and many dear friends. Verna was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Jim. No formal Service will be held but we can have a party to celebrate her life at the family cabin in Sylvan Lake in the Summer. If desired, Memorial Donations in Verna’s honor may be made directly to the Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, Alberta at www.childrenshospital.ab.ca. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2025-05-14
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com