DAYTON, OH—Helen Marie Roy Ferguson, “Fergie”, 96, a resident of Chatham for 62 years, died at the Mercy Siena Retirement Center, July 3, 2010.
Born October 29, 1913 in Pittsfield, MA, she was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Roy, her mother, Anna Duncan Roy Belanger, her step-father, Moise Belanger, and her devoted husband of 57 years, David B. C. Ferguson.
Mrs. Ferguson was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy. She managed several bakeries in upstate NY before working at the Chatham Bank. She retired from the bank in the late 1970s.
She was a member of several organizations and was Past Grand Regent of the Catholic Daughters of America in Chatham and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus-Albany Council.
In 1946, Mrs. Ferguson started the first Girl Scout Troop (Lone Troop I) in Chatham and for 18 years helped guide many young ladies.
Mrs. Ferguson is survived by a daughter, Jeanne (Robert M., deceased) Correale of Vandalia, OH; sons, Dr. D. Roy (Diane) Ferguson of Chagrin Falls, OH, Donald C. (Jeanne) Ferguson of Endicott; grandchildren Margaret, Paul and Jonathan Correale, Dr. Catherine Ferguson Safko, Matthew and D. Andrew Ferguson, Judy Dillman, Daniel and Darrell Ferguson; 14 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
Family will receive friends Thursday, July 8 from 5 until 8 p.m., at the French, Gifford, Preiter and Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday July 9, 10 a.m., at Saint James Church, Chatham. Interment will follow at Saint James Cemetery, Ghent.
Memorials may be made to St. James Church or The Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton, OH 45420; www.hospiceofdayton.org. For directions or to send an online condolence, visit www.frenchblasl.com.