Letitia "Bunny" Lynn Furlin

Letitia “Bunny” Lynn Furlin, age 89, was born on February 28, 1937, in Gary, Indiana, and went home to heaven on March 8, 2026. Bunny grew up in Gary with her parents, Emil and Teresa Perrotta, surrounded by a large, fun-loving Italian and Hungarian family who shaped her joyful spirit. She shared a close bond with her siblings and was blessed with countless aunts, uncles, and cousins who filled her childhood with laughter, tradition, and love. Family was never just important to Bunny — it was everything. After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in 1955, she attended Indiana University, majoring in elementary education. During her years at IU, she proudly joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was an Indiana University cheerleader — a role that fit her perfectly. She had the energy, the smile, and the contagious enthusiasm of someone born to lift others up. It was also at Indiana University where she met her college sweetheart and the love of her life, Sam. Bunny and Sam were married in 1960 and shared 37 beautiful years together, raising six children in Valparaiso, Indiana, before his passing in 1997. Together they built a home that was warm, welcoming, and full of life. As a devoted stay-at-home mother, Bunny poured herself into creating a place where everyone felt loved. She was in the stands at sporting events, hosting family gatherings, planning celebrations, and always ready with a hug or a little song for any occasion. Her faith was the foundation of her life. A devout Catholic, Bunny dedicated herself to loving and serving Jesus. She was an active member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso beginning in 1976 and gave generously of her time and heart. For 18 years, she taught third-grade religious instruction, shaping young hearts in their faith journey. She also participated in the Welcoming Committee, Consolation Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, and Senior Circle. Beyond her parish, she was active in the Crisis Center, St. Mary Jr. Guild, served on the Board of Directors of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Valparaiso University, was a lifetime member of the IU Alumni Association, remained involved in her local Panhellenic organization, and supported the Women’s Association of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society and the Northwest Indiana Art Institute Association. Her weekly breakfast and prayer group were a treasured part of her spiritual life. Those friendships sustained her and reflected her deep commitment to prayer and community. In 2021, Bunny moved to Elmhurst to be closer to her children and grandchildren — and to continue cheering from the sidelines at almost every one of her grandchildren’s many sporting events. She quickly became involved at Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, volunteering on several committees and greeting parishioners at Mass with the same warmth she carried everywhere she went. Bunny had a bubbly personality and an infectious laugh that could light up any room. She was classy, energetic, and full of joy. She loved dancing, playing bridge, attending sporting events, and celebrating life at every opportunity. Alongside Sam, she was Indiana University’s biggest fan, cheering faithfully for the Hoosiers in basketball and football. She was also a loyal Chicago Bears season ticket holder and cheered just as passionately for the Chicago Cubs. No matter the team or the venue, Bunny showed up dressed head to toe in her game-day attire, fully committed to the celebration. Bunny also treasured her friendships and was a caring friend to many. She had a gift for knowing exactly what to say and took great care in choosing the perfect card to mark life’s moments, making others feel seen, valued, and deeply loved. She was the life of every party and the steady heart of her family. She loved celebrating with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nothing delighted her more than being surrounded by the people she loved most. Her smile, hugs, songs, and laughter will resonate in the hearts of all who knew her. Above all, Bunny was a woman of deep and unwavering faith. She lived her life as a celebration of God’s goodness, modeling kindness, joy, strength, and devotion. She was the epitome of a woman of God and the most beautiful role model to her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sam Furlin; her parents, Emil and Teresa Perrotta; and her siblings Carole Birchler and Emil “Cappy” Perrotta. She is lovingly remembered by her six children: Jeff (Lynne) Furlin, Rene (Brent) Paddock, Joe (Lily) Furlin, Laura Furlin DeBlasio, Lisa (Mark) Burnison, and David (Janelle) Furlin. She was a devoted grandmother to Anthony (Jill) Furlin, Teress (Zack) Wallace, Paul (Shannon) Furlin, Gina (Cris) Burrough, Sam (Anne) Paddock, Jack Paddock, Isaac DeBlasio, Angelina DeBlasio, Will Paddock, Gia Furlin, Max Burnison, Jane Paddock, Miles Burnison, Sofia Furlin, Lilly Burnison, Grant Furlin, Everett Furlin, Alexander Furlin, and an expected grandchild on the way due in May; and a proud great-grandmother to Dominic Wallace, Sienna Wallace, Vincent Wallace, and two expected great-grandchildren on the way due in August. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. directly at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso, IN. Rev. Roque Meraz officiating. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, 2701 Willowdale Road, Portage, IN. Her family finds comfort in knowing she is reunited at last with her beloved Sam, resting in God’s embrace, her joyful laugh surely echoing in heaven. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Crisis Center, Inc. – Northwest Indiana, https://crisiscenterysb.org/donate, continuing Bunny’s legacy of love, faith, and service to those in need. Please visit Bunny’s online obituary and guestbook at www.burnsfuneral.com.

Letitia "Bunny" Lynn Furlin

February 28, 1937 - March 8, 2026