Obituary of Joan Marie Kantas -Fursman

Joan (Joanie) Marie Kantas-Fursman, 75 passed away on November 24, 2018 at her Shelton home surrounded by her friends and family. Joan was born on December 23, 1942 to Edward and Stella Fursman in Lake Oswego, OR and attended St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, OR. Joan was an X-Ray Technician for almost 50 years and worked at St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia for 35 years. Joanie was known as a dedicated mother (to many), 100% Irish Catholic, and for taking care of everyone else without ever considering herself. Throughout Joanie’s life she was devoted to helping others by means of cooking meals at homeless shelters, finding homes and programs for homeless families and individuals, volunteering in many medical programs for the disadvantaged, and participated in the No One Dies Alone program at St. Peter’s Hospital, and always comforting those in need. Joanie was preceded in death by her beloved youngest son Steve Kantas May, 2015 to whom she was excited to see again in heaven. She is survived by her sister Pat Floerech of Portland, her brother Jim Fursman of Seattle, daughter Mia Kantas of Shelton, son Tony Kantas of Olympia, daughter-in-law Sonja Cady of Olympia, grandsons and granddaughter Noah of Shelton, Alex and Gabby of Olympia. The following are quotes from Mother Teresa to whom Joanie greatly admired best describe Joanie’s life: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” “Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.” “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” A funeral mass will take place at 1:00 p.m., December 15th at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Shelton with a reception to follow and a Rosary at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please just try to live your life with great love to others by smiling, not judging, and helping others when in need.