Harriet "Hapsie" Eaton Furst

Harriet 'Hapsie' Eaton Furst died Tuesday morning in hospice at her home after an aggressive return of cancer. Hapsie was born August 1, 1939 in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter of Malcolm and Mary Harriet 'Happy' Eaton. On September 24, 1960 she married Frank 'Ned' Furst, also of Freeport. She graduated from Freeport High School, attended the University of Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Michigan (B.A. in History). She and Ned have three daughters: Martha (Freeport), Susan (Chicago) and Elisabeth (her husband Francis Wright, St. Paul, Minnesota.) In addition to being a devoted and dynamic mother and wife, Hapsie was part owner of Chapter One Bookstore and a passionate community leader. She served as the first female chairperson of the Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce, member of the boards of Regional Economic Development, Freeport Memorial Hospital, and the Martin Luther King Center. Hapsie also worked extensively on bringing tourism to Stephenson County, and was one of the leaders in passing the Hotel/Motel revenue referendum to support and create the Stephenson County Visitors Organization. She also was an early organizer of the Freeport Art Museum. She was also an active member of the Amity Society and the Freeport Country Club, as well as a member of Kiwanis and Grace Episcopal Church. Hapsie also dedicated herself to a number of fundraising efforts in the community, including serving as one of the original fundraising chairs of the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center. Hapsie was an avid gamer (golfer, bridge, gin rummy, and an occasional hand of black jack), gourmet cook, and voracious reader. She also loved to travel, particularly to Europe. She and Ned have enjoyed many wonderful meals, gatherings and trips with friends and family in Freeport and beyond. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers John and Robert. She is survived by Ned, Martha, Susan, Betsy, Francis, her sister, Anne Eaton (Dan)Harrison of Cape Jellison, Maine), sisters-in-law Janet Furst (John) Grant of Birmingham, Michigan), Barb Sauer Eaton of Dixon, Illinois, Ned'™s dog Dewi, and many dear relatives and friends. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 14 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral home from 4 '" 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 15. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations go to the Malcolm Eaton Enterprises, which serves 200 people with developmental disabilities every day in Stephenson County, Illinois (www.malcolmeaton.org). Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her online guestbook and to share memories.