PAT FURTERER

March 17, 1934 - April 13, 2024

Rosalynne Patricia "Pat" Furterer, Loveland's greatest ambassador and founder of the Loveland Stage Company, passed away on April 13, 2024, at the age of 90.

She leaves behind a legacy of lives changed forever by her kindness, creativity, leadership and friendship.

Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, Pat was one of five siblings and grew up with theater in her veins. She loved to act and sing as a little girl, but she also exhibited organizational skills and a passion for theater that carried her throughout her life.

She married sweetheart Fred Furterer on February 13, 1954, and was heartbroken when her dear Fred passed away in 2009. The couple lived in Pennsylvania and Michigan before Fred was transferred to Cincinnati in 1977. The couple settled in Pheasant Hills in Loveland.

Pat was a supreme entertainer and loved to throw cocktail parties and dinners. The Furterer home was always lively with not only their three sons but dozens of friends and neighbors. When they built a backyard swimming pool, the "Furterer Clubhouse" was open for summertime food, drinks and fun.

When Pat discovered there was no community theater in Loveland, she ran an ad in the local paper for people who might be interested in starting one. The rest, as they say, is history. For nearly 50 years, Pat was on and off stage, performing her most important roles as visionary, educator, fundraiser and mentor. She knew how to organize and rally business owners and theater lovers behind the Loveland Stage Company, especially when the theater building suffered a massive fire in October 2008. Due to her passion and perseverance, the theater was rebuilt and opened one year later with the production of Miss Saigon.

Pat's favorite musical performance on-stage was the role of Mame (she continued to sing the show's hits the rest of her life!). This was when she was a leader in community theater in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Many people simply know Pat as the main character BEHIND the scenes, since she did absolutely everything imaginable to put on a show: She directed, produced, ushered, sold tickets and program ads, and handled everything from set constructions to lighting and staging. To honor her legacy as the leader of the volunteer Board of Directors, she was named President Emeritus in 2013.

Besides the Loveland Stage Company, Pat was a fantastic volunteer and cheerleader for several organizations: She was the 2002 Loveland Valentine Lady and continued to steer the group for appearances and projects; she was an officer and active member of the Loveland Woman's Club; and she professionally worked for the Loveland Chamber of Commerce for several years.

Pat has received numerous accolades and awards as a testament to her leadership in the community. Most recently, Loveland's Second Street in front of the theater added the honorary name of PAT FURTERER WAY on its street sign. She also was inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2022.

Pat won the prestigious Louis G. Rookwood Award and Key to the City from Loveland in 1994, and the Loveland Chamber of Commerce began their college scholarship program in her honor.

For her contributions to community theater, Pat won the Art Rouse Award in 2006 from the Association of Community Theaters of Greater Cincinnati (ACT). The Ohio Community Theater Association (OCTA) inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 2015.

Pat was a true partner with husband Fred, who died at age 74. She was the loving mother of Daniel F. (Sandra) Furterer, Donald J. Furterer, and David A. (Kris) Furterer. Cherished grandmother of Kelly Furterer, Erik Furterer, Zachary Furterer, Ian (Kristen) Furterer, Heidi (Harry) Pappas, Allison Furterer, and the late Katie Furterer. Great grandmother of Annabelle, Kyle, Gracie, and Laney. Dear sister of Paul (Sandra) Hefflefinger and the late Frank (Dorothy) Hefflefinger, the late Edith (Herb) Ramsey, and the late Doris (Wayne) Platt. Also survived by many dear nieces, nephews and friends.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, April 25 from 3-5 PM in the Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Ave., Loveland, where services will be held at 5 PM. The family invites you to share your memories and happy stories of Pat's life immediately following the services at the Loveland American Legion Hall, 897 Oakland Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat's memory may be made to the Loveland Stage Company, PO Box 312, Loveland, OH 45140, or to the Loveland Woman's Club Scholarship Fund, 119 N. Riverside Ave., Loveland, OH 45140.