It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved wife, mum, sister, aunt, Gwa and Great Gwa, Mary Patricia Ferguson (née Underwood) on December 27, 2024, at the age of 92.
Mary was born on September 18, 1932, in Devonport South, Plymouth, England. She trained as a midwife and nurse in Edinburgh, Scotland where her beloved Lionel danced into her life. They immigrated to Canada in 1956. Mary worked as a nurse at the Toronto General Hospital before devoting herself to raising her family. She was tender and attentive, and the care she took of those she loved was palpable. She had a love of culture, nature and all things natural – finding joy in the curation of beautiful places and curiosities, and the quiet contemplation of the life that surrounded the homes and gardens she and Lionel created together.
Gwa – as she was known to all that loved her best – was love itself. She wove kindness, warmth, grace, and patience into all that she was and all that she did. A builder of memories, she was unendingly generous in every way. Gwa was the warm light that guided us, the home that was our safe place to land. Adored and cherished by her husband of 68 years, Lionel “Len” Lowden Ferguson, her children Mark Ferguson (Diane), Jane Becking (Kenneth), Elspeth Ferguson and Claire Ferguson-Kaake (Jeffrey), her grandchildren Jessica Becking, Adam Kaake, Iain Becking (Jessica), Callum Ferguson, Alec Becking, Colin Kaake, Brier Kaake and Emily Becking, and her great grandchildren Lionel and Ronan Cooper and Isla Becking. She was loved by her siblings Anne Adcock (David), Alexander, and Robert. Predeceased by her siblings David, John, and Valerie.
Her warm and gentle glow will be deeply missed.
The family would like to express gratitude to the caring staff at Hillsdale Terraces, Oshawa.
Visitation will take place at THORNTON FUNERAL CENTRE (1200 Thornton Road North, Oshawa, 905-579-6787) on Sunday January 12, 2025 from 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm, with Words of Comfort from 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm.
The family asks that donations be made in Mary’s honour to the Salvation Army or the Alzheimer’s Society Durham Region in lieu of flowers.
