Death Notice
FERGUSON, Patricia Rose (nee Woodruff) – passed away peacefully in the palliative care unit at LHSC University Hospital on Monday, January 3, 2022 in her 81st year. Beloved mother of James (Catherine Patterson) and Carolyn Laton (Dan). Dear Nana to Mikaela and Ross Ferguson and Chantal and Julia Laton. Predeceased by her loving husband, James Peter Ferguson (2018). Survived by her brother, Lionel, and sister, Donna Woodruff, and predeceased by her parents, Helen (Croft) and Harold (Woody).
Mom grew up as an “air force brat” who moved regularly throughout Canada with her family and ultimately to Two Wings Squadron, Grostenquin (Metz), France. There, she met our father, James, an RCAF officer and navigator, at a dance in the Officers’ Mess. Our dad was on duty as the orderly officer but he apparently managed to squeeze in some dances while on duty and so began their lifetime love affair.
After marriage and the birth of their son, James, in France, they were transferred to the air base in Summerside, PEI and the family soon expanded to include Carolyn. Our father left the RCAF when his tour was completed and the family relocated to Montréal where our father completed his studies to become a chartered accountant.
Patricia was a loving homemaker who was devoted to her family. She prided herself on her cooking and her baking �” her flaky pastry was a special skill (the secret is in the Crisco she would say). Mom also enjoyed knitting (we cannot count the number of mittens she made for us as kids), sewing and quilting and we still happily have her many beautiful quilts to remind us of the hours of dedication spent on each one.
Because of mom’s organization and preparation, we have wonderful memories of Montréal in the 1960s and early 1970s, going on picnics and Sunday drives to the Laurentians and Eastern Townships, camping and summer vacations to Ogunquit and PEI, antique shopping in Hull and Oka, and local Christmas church bazaars. Mom took an active interest in our hobbies and activities. Mom was also a devoted fan of her many cats over the years.
Our father’s new job with Hiram Walker Gooderham & Worts in 1974 led to our family packing up and regrouping in the Windsor area. With our father’s advancement through the company, there were opportunities for our parents to travel the world. Mom enjoyed accompanying our dad to London UK and while he worked there, she would take in the sights, shop and see West End plays. She also enjoyed travels to Italy, Spain and Asia. Mom and Carolyn took many summer trips together as well, to Europe, the Caribbean and the US. It was a well-earned reward for all the hard work our Mom and Dad had both spent in building Dad’s career. After retirement they enjoyed a number of cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, the Baltic Sea and elsewhere as well as trips throughout the United States.
Mom was not someone who just enjoyed the nice things in life, she believed in giving back. Mom was an active hospital volunteer, a Brownie Leader and a volunteer with the Windsor Art Gallery. She also sewed care bears for the local Windsor hospice.
Our Mom had style and flair galore. As her children we were mightily surprised she was a VIP at the Windsor Casino, slipping in for a turn at the slots and being rewarded with comped dinners and shows.
Finally, Mom loved their Windsor house on the Detroit River, referred to by us as “the cottage in the city”. Our parents enjoyed their home for almost 30 years and the whole family has wonderful memories, sharing time together at family gatherings, enjoying our Dad’s mathematical precision in his orderly flower gardens of Dahlias and Delphiniums, watching the boaters and freighters go by as well as the ducks, geese and the occasional eagle. We will treasure those memories when Mom was happy in Windsor, enjoying her beautiful home, with the love of her life, our father, and her family.
A private funeral for immediate family has been held at Harris Funeral Home, London. Interment has taken place at Woodland Cemetery, London, Ontario. Memorial contributions to the Windsor-Es County Humane Society, 1375 Provincial Rd, Windsor, ON N8W 5V8 would be appreciated.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Patricia Ferguson 2022..
Death notice for the town of: London, Province: Ontario