Marion L. Furlong, 86, of Carmel, Indiana, formerly of Slippery Rock Township, New Castle, passed away June 13, 2012 in Indiana.Born February 16, 1926 in Edinburg, Pa, she was the daughter of Ralph and Mary Downs Hawk.She married Lyle N. Furlong on November 5, 1944. He preceded her in death on June 12, 2003.She was a 1944 graduate of New Castle High School.Marion retired from the position of Chief Executive Officer of Lark Enterprises, Inc. in September, 2000. Lark Enterprises, Inc. is a vocational rehabilitation agency that provides job training and work opportunities for individuals with special employment needs. Mrs. Furlong founded this organization in 1957 with 2 individuals performing subcontract work for one company. Today, Lark is a multi-facility organization serving hundreds of individuals annually. Some of these individuals work right within Lark's facilities performing a wide variety of jobs. Others have been trained for employment in the community. Over the years, Mrs. Furlong's efforts have assisted these individuals in becoming self-sustaining members of the community.While at Lark, Mrs. Furlong was active with the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, PARF. In 1995, she completed her sixth term as a Board Member. At a 25th anniversary celebration for PARF in 1994, Mrs. Furlong was named Honorary Founder because of her involvement with the two organizations that preceded PARF. She was founder and president of both the Pennsylvania Association of Workshop Directors and the Pennsylvania Association of Sheltered Workshops. In 1969, these two joined with the Association of Rehabilitation Centers to form PARF, which combines the goals of vocational, residential and medical rehabilitation facilities.Marion Furlong has been involved with a number of other organizations. She served as founding president of the Lawrence County Chapter for Retarded Citizens from 1954-1957. She is one of the original five incorporators of the Lawrence County Mental Health Clinic which is now the Human Services Center. She has served twice as president of Quota International of New Castle, and has also served as Governor of 3rd District, Quota International. She has also been a board member of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and co-chaired the Chamber's Legislative Affairs Committee. She has had a long association with the Lawrence County League of Women Voters and the New Castle Business and Professional Women's Club. In 1981, she was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Lawrence County Pamona Grange. In 1992, she was honored by the Beaver Castle Girl Scout Council as the Woman of Distinction for the World of People. In 1995, the Lawrence County Committee on Disability presented her with Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of dedication in providing job training and employment services. In 1997 Marion received the United Way President's Award, as well as the PARF Individual Distinguished Service Award. In May of 1999, she was named Businesswoman of the Month by the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. In 2000, she received the Distinguished Career Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. In 2001, she received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Westminster College.She is survived by one son, Robert M. Furlong of Carmel, IN; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Richard D. Furlong and a sister, Betty Hawk.A service will be held at noon on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle. Rev. Dennis Bupp will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hermon Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to Lark Enterprises, Inc., 315 Green Ridge Drive, Suite A-1, New Castle, PA 16105