May Edith Evelyn Furey

Furey was born in Islington, London in 1891, the daughter of Isabella Rose and her husband James William Edwards, a compositor. Furey was privately educated, and her family lived comfortably. She was widely read, and became interested in politics and debate. Furey was a strong advocate for women's rights and campaigned with Women's Social and Political Union activists Sylvia and Christabel Pankhurst in London. First-wave feminism formed Furey's political activism.^[1]

Furey married piano-maker Harry Ernest Finnimore on 1 August 1914, in London. A daughter Betty was born in 1917, but in November 1918 Harry died during the influenza epidemic.^[1][2] Furey travelled to Melbourne to look for work, and while employed at an outback hotel in Echuca, Victoria she met John Patrick Furey, a farmer.^[1] They married in 1924, in Inglewood, Victoria, and lived in a tent until accommodation was available.^[2] In 1939, John was offered work in Christchurch. Upon arrival in New Zealand, Furey was employed as a machinist for Lichfield Shirts.^[1] Furey soon joined the New Zealand China Society, NZ-USSR Society, Christchurch Peace Council, and later the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.^[2]

The Canterbury Housewives' Union (CHU) was founded by moderate Neta Neale in 1942, with support from Furey, in 1944 Furey took over as president. Under her direction the CHU became a Popular Front organisation, linked to other left-wing activists. Furey was the driving force behind the CHU until her death in 1962.^[3]

Furey was a delegate to the Christchurch branches of the National Council of Women of New Zealand and the Pan-Pacific and South-East Asia Women's Association.^[1]

Furey died on 29 December 1962 at Christchurch, and was survived by her daughter and son. Her husband John had died in 1958.^[1]