Friday, February 20, 2009

A Tribute

Judith A. Ferguson
November 3, 1947 -- February 17th, 2009

Mom, 1950

BRUNSWICK, ME – Judith A. Ferguson, 61, of Coombs Rd. died February 17th at Midcoast Hospital after a prolonged illness. She was born on November 3rd, 1947 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Judy is predeceased by her mother, Betty Grow Frost, and her father is James A. Frost. A graduate of Loyola Marymount, she held a B.S. in English. Judy had been a resident of Maine since 1974.


Mom and Dad, 2008

Judy is survived by her husband of 33 years, Chuck; her father Jim Frost and his wife Jane of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and two daughters, Amy Ferguson of Lisbon Falls and Allison Lantieri and her husband Chris of Amston, CT and their two children James and Ella. She is also survived by many cousins.


Allison, Mom and Amy, 1980

Judy and her husband Chuck and their two girls moved to the old Rush Farm on Coombs Road in 1981. There she and the family kept a number of small farm animals including a pony, horses, geese, chickens, rabbits and turkeys. The Fergusons are known for their local brown eggs, as well as for the fowl that have a tendency to roam up and down Coombs Road. In addition to the many farm animals that they tended, they also took in countless stray dogs and cats and gave them all a “forever” home. Of all of them, Judy’s current dog, an 11-year old beagle named Beezus was certainly her favorite and never far from her side.


Beezus in the shop

Over her lifetime Judy loved fleamarketing, baking breads and pies, reading, knitting, canning vegetables and preserves and enjoying a quiet country life. Judy was well-known in the Midcoast area as the co-owner with her husband of Pollyanna’s Antiques, a small shop on Front Street in Bath. Judy specialized in Victorian textiles, dolls and vintage sewing notions. She and Chuck could be found most every Saturday and Sunday at the Montsweag Fleamarket during the summer season, looking for that special hidden antique treasure that she could add to her shop. She was well-regarded for her knowledge and loved for her “grandma’s attic” style of shop keeping. Judy took great pride in designing stunning and unusual shop window displays. Her husband intends to keep the shop open in her memory.



Mom outside her shop a few years ago

Judy was a dedicated mother, wife, daughter, grandmother and friend and will be dearly, dearly missed. Her two grandchildren, James and Ella were the apples of her eye. She often told friends that she couldn't wait to teach James all about the farm and have tea parties and play dress-up with Ella.

A photo she took of one of her favorite heirloom roses

A celebration of Judy's life will be held on Saturday, March 21st from 3 to 5 pm in the Community Room at the Patten Free Library in Bath. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to the Coastal Humane Society of Brunswick, or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals by making a Memorial Donation in her name on their website, www.aspca.org. Burial services will be private.

11 comments:

Jerolyn said...

Allison~
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

alice c said...

Dear Allison,
My heart goes out to you as I read your very sad news. I know that your mother would have been so proud of you and the wonderful family life that you have created with Chris. All the happy memories that you have will give you courage as you learn to live with your loss. I am sure that you will discover that those we love never really leave us. Take extra special care of yourself.
with love from across the Atlantic
Alice

Denise said...

Allison: I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Stephanie said...

dear Allison,

I am so so so sorry about the loss of your mother. Every time you've spoken of her here has been filled with such love...I can't even imagine the huge sadness of having her gone. I am so sorry. I will be praying for you and am so wishing I could give you a big hug. xoxoxo

Kim said...

I'm thinking of you and your adorable family.

Regina Heater said...

Your mom was such a bright spirit... I'm so sorry to learn of your loss. My love to you and Amy, and know that I am walking with you on your path of grief.

Kim said...

What a lovely tribute, Allison. With all the memories you have, she'll never be far from you.

Redhead in Vegas said...

Allison-
I am so sorry to read this. If there is one thing that has always come through in your writing, it is how much love and caring you have experienced with your family. Hold on to that.
Your mom sounds like an amazing woman. I wish you and your family peace and strength, and love as you remember her life.
Carey

Aunt Pam said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mother. Ours hearts are breaking for you all with your loss. We love you all and are thinking about you all the time. Take good care of my big brother. He needs you all so much right now to get him through this. We love you!!! Love Aunt Pam

Adam & Chrissie Mehan said...

Allison,

We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

-Adam and Chrissie

Karen said...

Allison-
I am deeply sorry to read about your loss. My mom just passed away in January after a very short battle with pancreatic cancer. I know too well what you must be going through. I will hold you and your family close during this time.
Love and prayers-
Karen Wilder Walls