Enjoyed traveling and crocheting
MELROSE — Marie T. (Brosnahan) Ferguson, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on Tuesday, August 13 at Brightview Senior Living in North Andover, at age 97.
Marie was born in Malden on September 27, 1926, one of two daughters of the late John and Mary (Dillon) Brosnahan. She was raised in Malden where she graduated from Girls Catholic School, Class of 1944. After meeting Doug Ferguson at a USO roller-skating party, they were married at Immaculate Conception Church in Malden and resided in Malden for several y
ears before settling in Melrose to raise a family of three children. Marie enjoyed her working career as a secretary for several years at Boston Beer Distributors and later as a Telephone Operator for 23 years for the New England Telephone Co. before retiring in 1989.
Engaged in the community of Melrose, Marie was a past President and served as Corresponding Secretary for the Melrose Garden Club. She was also a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Church. In her free time, Marie enjoyed arranging silk flowers for her home using seasonal colors. As a child growing up listening to the New York Philharmonic with her father, Marie had a deep love for music and developed an eclectic taste for her favorites from around the world. As a self-proclaimed “Patron of the Arts,” she showed her love for her grandchildren with her regular presence at their recitals, plays and performances, always with a well-placed yell of excitement and support. With her husband Doug, children, grandchildren and friends, she adventured worldwide, traveling from Ireland and Scotland to Hawaii and Jamaica with trips to New Hampshire for the Scottish Games yearly. Shaping her love in her own hands, she also meticulously crocheted afghans as gifts for her family.
Marie exemplified being a matriarch with her constant uplifting smile, proud words of encouragement and unconditional love for the entire family. She was a fierce advocate for her children, an easy going and vocal supporter for each of her grandchildren and retained her optimistic spirit and great sense of humor through it all. She took special care of her appearance and always looked her best. She was dearly and widely loved, leading by example with effortless and genuine compassion and gracious kindness to all.
Marie will be deeply and sorely missed, but her pride in family, admirable loving nature and kind spirit will carry on and continue to bring out the best in the hearts and minds of her family. May she rest in eternal and well deserved peace.
Marie was the beloved wife of the late Douglas W. Ferguson with whom she shared 62 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Michael Ferguson and his wife Irene of Shelton, CT; Anne Baldonado and her husband Richard of Bradford; and Patricia Marcus and her husband Kris of Westborough. Dear sister of the late Edna Brosnahan. Cherished grandmother of Matthew and his wife Amy; Sarah and her partner Graham Sales; Dawn and her husband Carlos; Brendan and his wife Nicole; Megan, Leon, Rachel and Julia. Loving great-grandmother of Isabel, Margot, Carlos and Zoe.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to gather in Marie’s honor during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Friday, August 23 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by her funeral service celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. For online tribute, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
