Eileen P. Furnish, prominent community member

Eileen P. (Wharton) Furnish passed away peacefully at home in Lewes surrounded by family Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. She embodied kindness and acceptance, leaving an impact on people during her life journey. Eileen was born Jan. 31, 1943, in Laurel, to the late Ruth Wharton (Baker) and William Wharton 

Eileen graduated from Laurel High School in 1961. She attended Salisbury University following her high school education. Eileen was a prominent member of the Lewes community for over 60 years, and worked in and managed the cafeterias of various Cape Henlopen schools. She was a proud and active member of Seaside Baptist Church. Eileen enjoyed spending time with her family, going to the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, caring for her animals, feeding the birds, eating at Big Oyster, and working in the yard.

Eileen is survived by two siblings, Bonnie Dempsey of Dagsboro, and George Wharton of Laurel; her four children, Tina Clendaniel of Lincoln, Dean Furnish of Bremerton, Wash., Cheryl Mills of Haymarket, Va., and Rebecca Huling of Lewes; her nine grandchildren; and her 12 great-grandchildren. She is joining her beloved husband, Martin D. Furnish, her sister, Marjorie Davis (Stephens City, Va.); and her parents in heaven.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 7, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be private at Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton.

Anyone unable to attend the services may view the livestream: parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/11692789/LTWebcast.

In lieu of flowers, donate to Shiners Hospital, Shriners Burn Center, or any local animal shelter.

Visit Eileen’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her online guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.