Holly Hitchcock Furtado
Date of Passing:
Holly Hitchcock Furtado 67, of Riverside, died very peacefully on February 3, 2022 in her home that she so loved. She was the beloved wife of Ted Furtado for 42 years.
Born in Warwick RI, she grew up in Barrington, the daughter of Kathleen Hitchcock and the late Richard Hitchcock.
Holly is also survived by her brother Mark Hitchcock, sister Tracy Hitchcock Carcamo, brother Rob Hitchcock, nieces Kelsey Hitchcock, Shelbie Hitchcock, Nora Carcamo, Crystal Carcamo, Kelly Carcamo and nephew Eric Carcamo; along with an eclectic and wide ranging group of loving, devoted and caring friends.
Survivors also include all of her wonderful cousins, both here and in Canada, who grew up together as kids at their grandfather’s farm in Ontario every summer and have always thought of themselves as siblings as a result. She loved them all so dearly.
She was a graduate of Barrington High School Class of 1972, Rhode Island College with a BA in Education in 1976 and Florida Atlantic University with a Masters in Counseling in 1978.
Holly began her career as a middle school counselor in Seekonk, MA and then as a college counselor at Bristol Community College, prior to being hired by the Rhode Island Supreme Court as the Executive Director of Judicial Education and then additionally, Executive Director of the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission for 29 years until retirement in 2016.
She was an active member in the National Continuing Legal Education Regulators Association, speaking and facilitating at the national meetings. As stated by the organization’s Executive Director in a recent email to membership about Holly’s impact on the organization: “Her DNA is in every element of our organization”.
Holly also had a successful, private family and divorce mediation practice for many years and received the Chief Justice Frank J. Williams Award for Excellence in Promoting Mediation and Peaceful Conflict Resolution by the Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island, in 2019.
Holly was also an artist in so many senses of the word.
An accomplished photographer for many years, she created beautiful images from everywhere she went. From her beautiful gardens at home to the sights, scenes and people … particularly people … during her travels. In big cities, small rural villages, the countryside, the beach, the mountains … her eye would see beauty and she could capture it first on film, then digitally, to preserve and share.
In the last several years Holly became an accomplished watercolorist … she loved learning new things that allowed her to express her creativity.
Culinary artistry was another passion of hers. As someone who grew up cooking with her grandmothers and also Julia Child on TV, there wasn’t anything delicious she couldn’t create in the kitchen or out on the grill. Her passion for cooking meant that she didn’t even let Ted grill!
If you cooked as well as Holly, then expressing that creativity/artistry through entertaining was only natural. From informal family gatherings to really special food and wine events with her favorite friends in her dining room beautifully set/decorated for the occasion, was always a joy for her to do.
Holly was an outstanding aunt.
Holly and Ted weren’t “brave enough” to have children of their own … but she so deeply and passionately loved her nieces and nephew and would do anything and everything for them.
When one of the kids would complain that “Auntie worried too much” about something involving their lives, Holly would look them in the eye and quietly respond with the question; “So, does that mean that you would like me to love you less?” No one ever said yes!
Her niece Nora, ordained her with the title “Aunt … Just like a Mom, but Cooler”.
Holly the adventurer.
Holly so enjoyed travelling with Ted to the various locales in and around the Caribbean, Hawaii, Paris, Rome, Florence, Burgundy, Tuscany, Provence and to MCLE conferences in beautiful places across the US.
Her proficiencies in Spanish, French and Italian (with a little extra work) allowed them in their explorations in very rural parts of countries or regions to intimately connect with the people they met.
Her special, annual travel location for the past 12 years was a week in September at a beach house on the beautiful island of Long Beach Island in NJ, cooking fresh seafood and watching the dolphins swim by.
If she wasn’t in bed at 4:30 am, Ted always knew that she was down on the beach in front of the house, setting up her camera on a perfect morning to catch beautiful images of the sun rising from the Atlantic Ocean.
“LBI was her Happy Place” and was able to enjoy it for the last time this past September.
After 20 years as a kidney cancer survivor and after proactively battling Stage 4 metastatic kidney disease throughout her body to a draw these past 9 years, she has finally succumbed to this insidious cancer.
Her death was a shock to the majority of her family and friends who hadn’t a clue as to what she has been dealing with (multiple surgeries, radiation treatments, targeted systemic therapies, immunotherapy) over these years, but that was because of who this wonderful woman was.
She wanted to live her life to the fullest possible … damn the diagnosis … and she was adamant that as a treasured family member, friend or neighbor in her life, you should not have had to be unduly burdened by knowing that she had cancer … it was her gift to you!
For those of you who did know and quietly supported her goal to live life as normally as possible, thank you … it meant so much to her!
Ted, on behalf of himself and Holly, extends his most sincere gratitude to Dr. Anthony Mega, Jennifer Cunningham NP, Mary Ellen Mega RN, Kathy Higginbotham LICSW, Nurses Jennifer Oliveri and Lauren Ferrante in Treatment Room 2 and the entire team at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Miriam Hospital, Dr. David McDermott at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Dr. Toni Choueiri at Dana-Farber, and Dr. Ziya Gokaslan at RIH Neurosurgery for brilliantly and compassionately assisting Holly in her goal be with all the people she loved, for as long as possible.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday February 9, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. in the W.RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Ave, Riverside. Her funeral service will be held at the same location on Thursday February 10, 2022 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in Forest Chapel Cemetery, Nayatt Road, Barrington.
Masks are requested and appreciated by the family on behalf of Holly’s 95 year old mother.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Dr. Mega’s GU Cancer Fund and mailed to: The Miriam Hospital Foundation, PO Box H, Providence, RI 02901; or by visiting the website https://www.lifespan.org/about-lifespan/giving-lifespan
Dear Ted, your Holly was a brave and courageous woman. It was an honor to know her and have her be a part of our Furtado family. My heart is heavy. Your love and devotion for Holly is beyond what most people are able to know as a true love. You have our love and support, always, as we continue life’s journey.
Ted, so sorry for your loss. My wife and I remember meeting Holly at the wine and food festivals in Little Compton.
May she rest in peace.
Sincerely,
John Gordon
I became friends with Holly in 2001 when I was President of the Rhode Island Bar Association and Holly was Director of Continuing Legal Education. We became good friends and celebrated each other’s birthdays, and Christmas. Holly became my “Consigliere” on law practice and on other topics. She was gracious, but firm, and would give you TRUTH, not what you wanted to hear. The incredulity of the suddenness of her passing is overshadowed by the knowledge that she is with the Lord, and free from pain. A world without Holly Hitchcock is a much more desolate world. I will remember her always and pray for her each day. God bless you, Holly! It was an honor and pleasure to be your friend! Vin DiMonte Esq.
So sorry for your loss Ted and family. I remember Holly mostly from taking aerobics with her at the racquet ball club in Seekonk. Was lovely then and still was at the many class reunions I saw Her at. A wonderful personality and a beautiful woman. So glad that she chose to live her life despite all that she went through
Ted , My deepest sympathy and condolences to you and you family at this difficult time, My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ted – Brian, Morgan and I send our love to you and Holly. She was the brightest light, and we were lucky to know her, and you, for as long as we have. You have been a part of our family, and that will only be made stronger by this huge loss. We wish you peace and comfort during this time, and always.
Dear Ted,
It was an awful shock to learn this news…Holly was such a dear person, with a beautiful soul and a great heart. I offer my deepest sympathy, and trust you will surround yourself with the love and support of friends and family as you navigate this terrible loss.
My condolences to the Hitchcock and Furtado families. You are in my thoughts.
Totally Shocked and beyond Sad! Holly was a bright light wherever she went. She went out of her way to make everyone feel comfortable and I am honored to have been able to call her a friend. We’ve known each other for several years but I am so grateful to have gotten to know her on a much more personal level this past year when we were so lucky to have her join our ladies Monday night cocktails. Never once in this past year would anyone have known that she was going through any type of treatments or surgeries. She was always upbeat and positive and she so enjoyed the camaraderie of all the women and immediately became a true integral part of our gatherings. We will always miss Holly and her kind and loving spirit.
So sorry for your loss, Ted. Holly was such a wonderful person and sister-in-law. I have so many great memories of family get togethers at your house. She was so happy when she could get us all together and enjoying everybody’s company. Katie and I will never forget the “small” meal she pulled together for us when we visited in September. We will miss her.
Ted:
Helen and I are so sorry for your loss and the numerous challenges that Holly and you faced over the past years. During the many years that we worked together at the court, Holly was a wonderful colleague and friend. On several occasions, Holly quoted the world renowned philosopher Dr. Seuss. One of those quotes was “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” As Holly will always be in you head and heart and in the head and heart of her family and friends, it will never be over. Hopefully, in time, you will mostly smile because “Holly” happened.
Helen and Steve King
Heart felt condolences to Holly’s loved ones. I worked with Holly in Seekonk when we were both starting out in our careers in education. Holly was a bright spot even then; her smile invigorated everyone around her. She touched my life and for that, I will be forever thankful.
Holly will be so missed by her extended family. She was always the classy and at times sassy – a most excellent cousin. She was so stylish even as a child- whether washing dishes , picking messy chokecherries or helping in the veggie garden at our grandparent’s farm -she never looked anything but put together – not messy and muddy like the rest of us.
We all knew from early on that she was bright and would become a great adult – no matter what she chose to do as a career. As an older cousin I had the great pleasure of seeing her grow up to be such the accomplished adult – at home and at work that she became. She was amazing. She was a true caregiver – for all who knew her- she brought light into so many dark places in people’s lives- great insights and great advice. Ted and Holly ‘s love for each other shone through her life as did her love and care for Kai her mother.
You are missed Holly but you did it your way right to the end . We miss you but we will hear your voice and advice in our souls throughout the days forward.
You are loved Holly and we felt you love. Safe home Holly
I grew up right next door to Holly. As a little kid (she was 7 years older than me), I was always taken aback at how beautiful she was. She carried herself with such effortless class. I remember her being so very kind. The thought of her brings a smile to my face. Ted, Mrs. Hitchcock, Mark, Tracy, Rob & everyone who’s lives she touched…you are all in my thoughts.
Dear Ted,
Holly was a treasure ; a woman whom I was fortunate to have as a friend and a mediator colleague. I hope the wonderful memories you have of her will provide you some solace during this difficult time.
Best, Bryna
Ted and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Holly was a very special woman with her caring way. May memories of her be with you today and in the coming weeks. Our thoughts are with you during this most difficult time.?
Bettyann and I were so sorry to hear of Holly’s passing. She was an exceptional woman. She was a gift to so many people. Our love and prayers are with you Ted.
So sorry for your loss Ted I was one of those people that never knew
We are so sorry for your loss it had to be so
hard for you and we know you you will forever have your special memories Love to You Dave and Pat Brown
Ted,
We are so exceptionally sorry for your loss. A truly beautiful woman inside and out. We cherish the occasions we were able to celebrate fun times with you both. We send our love and deepest sympathies. Most sincerely
Ted, I am so sorry. Holly was a wonderful person and friend. And what a beautiful picture that is. It radiates Holly-ness.
Ted Sabrina and I are so so sorry for your loss
We had so many wonderful times with you guys , she was always so funny and man they talked to her about cooking you better sit down and be ready to be amazed
Holly was just such a beacon of sunshine it’s just so sad to hear about this
We wish you all the best during this really hard time
Oh, Furtado and Hitchcock families, our hearts break for you. We pray that the Lord will carry you in His loving arms over the next few days and for all the days that follow.
Susan, Dave and Laura Meikle
Dear Ted,
Please accept my deepest sympathy. May your beautiful wife rest in eternal peace.
Dear Ted,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Holly but it appears that not only you but the world has lost a wonderful accomplished caring person.
Dear Ted,
I have very fond remembrances of Holly. She was a beautiful, kind caring woman. Although taken too soon, she lived a rich, full life and, most importantly was loved.
Ted my deepest sympathy to you and your family on your recent loss. What an accomplished women Holly was. May you cherish all the wonderful memories you have and
Know that she is at peace. ??
Ted my deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of Holly. What an accomplished women. We had so much fun at the last class reunion. I got to know her. And to go through medically what she had and living her life is just amazing. She was taken much too soon but she is Now at peace . Cherish all the wonderful time you had together . ????
So sorry to hear this sad news, my thoughts will be with you during this sad time. Losing a life partner is so hard, be strong my friend.
Dear Ted, Joe and I are so sorry for your loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Wishing you peace and comfort at this difficult time
ted,
so sorry for your loss.
chuck colarulli
I’m so sorry about the loss of Holly. I worked with her at Superior Court and she was always pleasant and I remembered her being a good cook. Peace on your pathway Holly.
Julie A. Bairos
Sad is a small word, but so descriptive and powerful. I am truly sad for you and Holly‘s whole family. What a loss! You all are in our thoughts.
A shock to say the least. A beautiful person in every way, Holly was kind and considerate to everyone (including and especially animals), a gourmet cook, brilliant at her job(s), a loving wife and a faithful friend to us all. Most of all, she was true to herself and unconditionally devoted to her family. I will miss her smile and caring nature always.
I am so very shocked and sad . Holly was without a doubt one of the best people I had the honor to call friend. I will remember her and smile at the great time we had at my reunion. We danced the night away. Ted , my heart hurts right now for you and your family. RIP dear Holly, heaven as gained a beautiful angel. Sending light and love as you go through this difficult time.