Mary "Molly" Ferguson

Mary Crump Ferguson, 1rst June, 1919 - 29th August, 2015. "Mollie" - beloved wife of Paddock Worth Ferguson, mother and finest friend to Jeremy and Elizabeth, sweet soul and the bright, shining center of a circle of companions who knew in her presence rare delight and happiness. Joy was her being, goodness and love and steadfastness the pattern of her days. We shall not know her like again. Mollie was born at Saintbury House, Gloucestershire, England. All her life, the gifts of that fair green country were with her. The rhythms of its seasons and history, the language of its poets. Its lanes woven with hawthorn and Queen Anne's lace, woods deep-fathomed with bluebells. The great, limestone hills of the Cotswolds. Its legacy of the ultimate secret weapon - all that might be wrought by sharing a cup of tea and shortbread. Daughter of Joseph and Sarah Wright Crump, adored and adoring sister of Joe; prize-winning scholar, graduate of Fishponds College; primary school teacher; Commander, Young Women's Civilian Defense Corps during the Second World War; bride of "Pat" Ferguson, an American G.I. who married her at St. Peter's Church, Leckhampton, 1946, and took her home to Texas. And thence on so many, many journeys. Wherever Mollie traveled, she planted gardens. From Kingsville, TX to Washington, D.C., and New York City. From Fortuna, ND to Vancouver, British Columbia. If Mollie was there, she made a garden - not of flowers only. That was her amazing alchemy - to Mollie, all the world was a garden to be cultivated, tended; its beings - people, animals, birds, all creatures great and small - amazing gifts and opportunities to be discovered, explored, known - accepted. Encouraged to bloom. As friends wrote recently, When Chris and I visited (Mollie), we felt so welcomed, loved, and fed. Chris would even read a book. Whether it was sharing her love of books, discovering the first pale blossoms of crocus on the Fortuna hills in the springtime, or walking to the Falls of the Yellowstone when she was 87, all was part of her embrace of life. Though 96, though living with Alzheimer's for ten years, there was nothing of age about Mollie. In her last endearingly foggy, funny seasons, there was no dimming of her shining, bright center. The loveliest smile that ever there was, never failed. A garden is a legacy, the symbol of all we are. Seed to blossom time, to summer's end. Winter. And then the spring. So wherever flowers sway and dance, in gently tended gardens held by walls of golden Cotswold stone, or amid the long sweet grasses of the prairie; from the depths of Gloucestershire's Cranham Woods to the wild blue bonnets and paint brush of West Texas, they will this day turn, as if hearing on the summer wind, Mollie is coming home to her gardens. She will be with us come the spring. The Ferguson family wishes to extend to Altru Hospice Services and their superb staff, our heartfelt thanks and gratitude; it is a gift beyond value, helping others to the realization that death can come as an old friend, familiar, expected, its approach gentle as the going down of the sun after a long, long summer's day. And to Mr. Paul T. Herzog, Amundson Funeral Home, our deep appreciation for his compassion, guidance, and absolute professionalism at a difficult time. Our special thanks to Dr. Keith Millette, and Kristin, for their many years of caring for Mummy. These two make of the practice of medicine, so much more than appointments, examinations and prescriptions. In their profession, and as individuals, they are healers in the truest sense. And we wish to thank with all our love, those with whom we were privileged to share Mummy. In England, Beryl and Robert Badman. Diana Crump Eaton. Our most marvelous Lady Margaret Lee. Robert and Janet Hall. Liza and Mark Hollinghurst and the amazing Mam'selle Jessamy, now the guardian of Mollie's orchard. In the U.S., Reta and John Fred Duncan. Mary and Chris. Carole. Ron and Barbara. Jayne and Tom. Pat and Norman. Robert and Linde. Carl and Betty. Cynthia, who called every day. Marj, who brought pizza and laughter. The superb Rose Raymond, beautiful as the flower whose name she bears. The "Maida Ladies" - Elaine Dunnigan and Joy Blair. Thank You all for the years, and for being part of Mummy's circle of friends. My friends are my estate, the poet wrote. Mummy was rich, rich, rich. In accordance with Mollie's expressed wish and will, no funeral will be held. We would ask those who loved her, to raise a cup of tea in her memory, or walk where all is green and good and bright with flowers. And to recall the lyrics of the Irving Kahal/Sammy Fain 1938 classic, beloved of civilians and service men and women alike during WWII - I'll be seeing you, in all the old, familiar places, That this heart of mine embraces.... Good Journey, Darling.