Obituaries

Helen Corrinne Furlong, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, at Highland Springs in Dallas, Texas. 

Helen is survived by her son, John N. "Jack" Furlong, and his wife, Betty Lou; her grandchildren, Carrie Marie Little and Brian Furlong and his wife, Lexi; and her five cherished great-grandchildren, Caroline and Liv Little, and Emma, Luke, and Harvey Furlong. She is also survived by her younger brother, John Prince, and his wife, Linda, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members across the United States.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 73 years, Richard "Dick" Furlong, and her daughter, Sara Catherine Furlong.

Helen was born on August 25, 1931, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Dallas, where she graduated from high school early before enrolling at Southern Methodist University in 1948. It was there that she met the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Furlong. They were married in 1951, and Helen graduated from SMU in 1952. Later that year, they welcomed their son, Jack, and in 1955, their daughter, Sara, completed their family.

Helen was a lifelong learner with a deep intellectual curiosity. She and Dick traveled extensively throughout the world, creating countless memories over the course of their remarkable marriage. Together they built a life spanning more than seven decades, united by a shared love of travel, intellectual curiosity, and a steadfast commitment to one another. Helen had a special passion for Shakespeare, dedicating many years to studying his works and sharing that love by teaching others. She also found joy in reading, playing bridge, and watching classic films, especially murder mysteries.

Helen possessed a sharp mind and an independent spirit. She was extremely curious, quick-witted, and never one to soften her opinions. Those who knew her understood that she spoke candidly and with conviction. In her later years, she especially enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren, who brought her tremendous joy.

In 2009, Helen and Dick returned to Dallas to be closer to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They moved to Highland Springs in 2018, where they enjoyed the friendship and sense of community they found there.

A service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, in Richardson, TX on August 29, 2026, at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in Helen’s honor to Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church (www.canyoncreekpres.org) or to the Texas Civil Engineering Foundation (www.texasce.org/about/tcef) which provides scholarships for engineering students and was an organization that both Helen and Dick proudly supported.