Alfreda (Boston) Furnas

It is with great sadness that the family of Alfreda “Freddie” Boston Furnas announces her passing. She was born in Manchester, New Hampshire on October 19, 1945. She passed away on February 4, 2025 at her beloved home in York Beach, Maine, with her best friend by her side. 

Freddie graduated from the University of New Hampshire with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She taught in Maine, New Hampshire, and Florida. She was a passionate and skilled educator. She taught children with learning disabilities, taught hundreds of children how to read, and served as a writing resource teacher. Throughout Lake County, Florida she provided professional development to hundreds of teachers in the art of teaching reading and writing. She studied under Donald Graves and Jane Hansen at UNH and was a contributor to their book, reviewed by the New York Times. She was selected Triangle Elementary School Teacher of the Year in 2002. She was a force, and had an intense passion for her role not only in teaching children she served, but also shaping teacher learning. 

She is predeceased in death by her parents Elwyn and Constance Boston and sister Laurie Boston Bridges and her husband Les Bridges

She is survived by her brother Richard Boston and wife Kathleen, and several nephews, their wives and children, nieces, and numerous cousins. She is survived by her two children, daughter Kelley Bates and granddaughters Sydney and Brook Bates, her son Gregory Furnas and grandsons Jackson, Jordan, and Jett Furnas. She is also survived by Kathleen Cantwell and a loving family and friends that extend beyond blood. 

She took great pride in watching her children Kelley and Greg become good parents and accomplished adults, and delighted in the achievements of her grandchildren.

She felt joy and pride in seeing her students succeed in school and in life, and remained in contact with several of them into adulthood. She believed that reading was key to success and often told her students “once you learn to read, you will always be able to read, and no one can take that away from you.”

Freddie was a loyal and faithful friend staying true through good and bad times. She was respectful and protective and committed to her relationships. Her unconditional love was a comfort to all who knew her. 

Know that her love for us all was marrow deep.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. 88 Federal St. Portland, ME 04101, or a charity of your choice

A celebration of Life will be held at Foster’s Clambake and Catering in York, Maine on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 2-5pm.

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