LAVALE — Helen “Bootie” Catherine Furstenberg, 83, of LaVale, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Born Oct. 30, 1926, in Cumberland, she was the daughter of the late James T. and Ethel Miller. She was also preceded in death by one sister, Alama Ackerman and one brother, Paul Miller.

Helen “Bootie” was a 1945 graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic High School. She was married to the love of her life, John M. Furstenberg, for 64 years. Helen was formerly employed at Rosenbaum’s Department Store for 11 years.

Helen and John are survived by their children, Diane Furstenberg Beem and husband Thomas P. Beem Sr., of Cumberland, Denine M. Nave, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Carl A Furstenberg, of York, Pa., Donna C. Furstenberg and life long partner Judy Stevens, of East Windsor, N.J., and Darla J. Walls and husband Mark Walls, of Jefferson; and one nephew, Paul Ackerman, Jr., of Cumberland. They were also blessed with their grandchildren, Thomas P. Beem Jr. and wife Ali, of Baltimore, Kevin J. Beem, of Bedford, Pa., Heide D. Nave, of LaVale, Ryan D. Nave, of South Carolina, Carson R. Nave, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Nicholas Furstenberg and wife Amy, of Cumberland, Missy Furstenberg, of Cumberland, Kathryn D. Walls, and Justin A. Walls, of Jefferson; great-grandchildren, Carter Nave, of LaVale, Collin Cook, of Cresaptown, Kaleb and Brady Furstenberg, of Cumberland, and Jayce Becker, of Cumberland. Helen and John are awaiting the birth of their first great-granddaughter to be born in February 2010.

Bootie was a member of the Ladies Sodality of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a life long member of the Ladies Auxiliary Outdoor Club, where she was also a member of shuffle club team. She was also life long member of the Good Fellowship Club, Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion, and Cumberland Eagles. She was a dedicated member of Ridge Dale Rollers Bowling League.

Helen will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by Mary Ernestine Lohr, Marge Becker, Lisa Peterson, Teri Michaels; her many friends of the Ridge Dale Rollers and her dear friends and neighbors.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Ave., Cumberland, scarpellifuneralhomes.com on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The rosary will take place also Monday at 3:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Tuesday at 10 a.m. with Father Ty Hullinger as celebrant.

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Thomas P. Beem Sr., Thomas P. Beem Jr., Kevin J. Beem, Mark Walls and Nicholas Furstenberg.

The family would like to thank all of Bootie’s friends, neighbors, Karla Shober and the Hospice of Allegany County for their care, prayers and love.

In addition to, or in lieu of flowers, the family graciously requests donations to be made in honor of Helen to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and/or Ladies Sociality, 300 E. Oldtown Road, Cumberland, MD 21502.