Obituary of Ethel Ferne Ferguson

Ethel Ferne Ferguson passed away on June 11, 2013 at Sunshine Villa. She was 88. Ferne was born on March 29, 1925 in Great Falls Montana, the daughter of Henry and Ethel (Grover) Higgs. She had polio at age 5 and was told she would never walk again. She proved them wrong! She walked until she was in her 70's. Fern was also told she could not have children and is now survived by three daughters and one son. She lived through WWII and the Korean War and the Great Depression. As a young woman she worked at military bases in San Diego and later Treasure Island in San Francisco. She has also resided in Hawaii, San Mateo and San Jose before moving to Santa Cruz. She was a very tough woman, having survived breast cancer and raising her four children while her husband served in the military and later was frequently away on business trips. Fern was a meticulous record keeper and maintained her husband's financial records to the penny. She was a member of the Church of the Chimes and Christ the Good Shepard Church. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, dancing, cooking, puzzles, bowling, collecting photos, owls, jewelry and attending cocktail parties. In recent years Ferne lived at Sunshine Villa where she was loved and supported by her family and the caring staff at Sunshine Villa. She was preceded in death by her husband of forty seven years Everett Henry Ferguson in 1993. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Marge and her brother, Jim. Her survivors include her children, Linda Goulett, Bonnie Ross, Denny Ferguson and Rhonda Ferguson. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, seven nieces and two nephews. Most importantly Grandma will be missed by her beloved family and friends. Service will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, Ca. on Saturday June 15, 2013 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel to light a candle or express your condolences to Ferne's family.