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Obituary For Amparo Mary Furry
Amparo “Mary” Furry, 80, of Ankeny, IA, passed away February 23, 2026, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, IA.
A celebration of life will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in the Willow Room (909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines, IA 50309). A private burial will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel.
Mary was born April 9, 1945, in Irapuato, Mexico, to John and Trinidad Rivas. Her father’s work with Rock Island Railroad moved the family to Des Moines, IA, when she was five years old. She graduated from East High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Eddie Furry. They married April 17,1963, before he was deployed overseas with the Navy.
Mary retired from the government in 1999 to babysit her two young grandchildren. When they no longer needed her care, she went back to work at DMACC in registration, there she met many lifelong friends.
She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family and most of all her grandchildren. She was a great cook, and many holidays and birthdays were celebrated by her hosting. She enjoyed sewing, decorating and became a master gardener from her love of plants and flowers. When she took time to relax you could find her watching a Hallmark movie with a bowl of popcorn.
She is survived by husband, Edgar “Eddie” V. Furry; children, Teresa (Eric) Peterson of Ankeny, IA, and Jeffrey Furry of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Travis (Ashley) Peterson of Leesburg, VA, and Natalie (Mitchell) Peterson of Denver, CO; siblings, Fred Rivas, Anita Petty, Laurance Rivas, Joseph Rivas, and Victoria Rivas; pet dog, Bear; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; John and Trinidad Rivas; and sister, Rebecca Kellis.
If sending flowers, the family politely requests only fresh cut flowers be sent to service. No potted plants please.
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Julie McMurray planted 5 trees in memory of Amparo Mary Furry . - March 16, 2026
Craig Larpenter planted 10 trees in memory of Amparo Mary Furry . - March 08, 2026
We have so enjoyed being blessed for 55years with Mary and Ed. And was being her baby day care for Teresa and Jeff we love them as our own! We went from that day forward sharing with each other's extended family's on both sides! ❤️ 😍 her extended family and ours! We have so enjoyed being blessed by your family and your beautiful precious mother, like a sister. in my life a very blessed blessing! We are praying for all the family at this time, also before and after. God loves you and so do we. Dennis and Beverly and Lemon family.
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Mary's kindness and gentleness was evident. She loved her family fiercely. Her grand babies brought her so much joy. I know her legacy will live on through them. My prayers are with the family as they walk through this difficult time. I pray the stories they share about this wonderful lady comfort their hearts.
"Grief is the last act of love we can give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was great love."
Mary loved hard & deep. She's such a beautiful, kind, loving soul. I had the pleasure of knowing her close to 18yrs. From getting to pamper her skin, add a touch of makeup to enhance her already beautiful features, to a special phone chat just a few weeks ago. Her leaving this world is a great loss. She will always be remembered & loved. 🩷
