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J-M superintendent dies of cancer

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JEFFERSON – The Jefferson-Morgan School District is mourning the loss of its longtime superintendent Donna Furnier after she died Tuesday night.

The district put out a message on its website Wednesday morning, informing staff and students, that Furnier, who worked as superintendent for 12 years, had battled cancer “courageously” for several years.

“She passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side,” the message said. “Our hearts go out to her children and grandchildren.”

The district had grief counselors on campus Wednesday for students and staff who are coping with Furnier’s death.

“This is a great loss for the JM community and she will be sorely missed,” the website said. “Her life has been spent leading the students and staff to be the best that they could be. We will get through this together.”

Furnier’s cancer diagnosis was first known to the public in 2015, when she took a medical leave for treatment. Craig Baily, former superintendent of Carmichaels Area School District, came out of retirement as acting superintendent in her absence.

Baily, the “substitute” superintendent, has been filling in for Furnier when she was in the hospital or too sick to come into work. He said she had been battling cancer nearly three years.

“She never complained,” he said.

Baily said he’s had a 15-year working relationship with Furnier and she was the one to encourage him to study to become a superintendent.

“We just did so much together, writing grants for the districts and just collaborating educationally on what’s best for the students,” he said. “She was a true leader. She tried to make the students do the best they could possibly do.”

Baily said Furnier knew every student by name and if they played a sport, she even knew their statistics. He said her last day in the district was two weeks ago, when she attended a play put on by the drama club.

“This was her district. This was her life, other than her family,” Baily said. “This is just where she spent the bulk of her time. Her primary concern was her students. She’s going to be greatly missed here in this district.”

Furnier, who lived in Roscoe, was appointed superintendent in 2005 after she had worked for the district as the curriculum coordinator and assistant high school principal, since 1999. She’s also served as superintendent of record at Greene County Career and Technology Center and has worked on committees for Community Action Southwest.

According to her biography listed on the Jefferson-Morgan website, Furnier earned a bachelor’s degree in science education with a certification in English, a master of arts in English, a principal certification and superintendent letter of eligibility from California University of Pennsylvania.

The biography also states that before pursuing an education degree, Furnier owned and was the chief cook of the Kozy Nook diner in Brownsville.

Furnier put in her resignation with the district in March and planned to retire at the end of the school year. In April, the district hired high school principal Joseph Orr to take over in July as the new superintendent. Baily will continue to serve in his substitute role until that time.

“We loved her so much,” Orr said Wednesday. “It’s been kind of quiet in our building. There’s a heavy shadow over the day, but we’re going to get through it.”

Orr said this graduating group of seniors were in kindergarten when Furnier took over as superintendent 12 years ago.

“She made it like family to work here,” Orr said. “She set a great example, and if that’s something that we can continue, that would be phenomenal, and it’s what she would want.”

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