Marge Ferguson

We are saddened to announce the passing of our mother, Marge Ferguson. She battled a range of health issues for many years, and fought valiantly. Despite all the obstacles she faced in her later years, her spirit was intact and frequently shone through-- in her heartwarming smile that could light up a room, in her silly (often mischievous) humor, and in the distinctive warmth of her presence. She passed away peacefully at Collier Hospice Center on May 13, 2014, surrounded by family and dear friends. Margery Coleman Ferguson was born in San Diego, California on October 7, 1947, sister of David Coleman, and the second child of parents Frank and Alice Coleman. Growing up, she had many adventures on the beach and cliffs overlooking the ocean, in particular with her next-door neighbor and bosom buddy, Sue Palmer. Marge went to college at University of California at Riverside, and shortly began embarking on the world travels that grew to be her second nature throughout her life. She spent her junior year abroad in France, and kept in contact for decades thereafter with friends she made there. By her mid-twenties, Marge followed her brother David in moving to Colorado. Marge was masterful at languages, and also had a love for teaching. She began her career teaching elementary school in bilingual English/Spanish classrooms in Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1974 she married William Ferguson, and in the next few years, they had two daughters, Katie and Tina Ferguson. The family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1981, and lived there for the next ten years. During this time, Marge went back to school to get her master's degree in English as a Second Language. While in Tulsa, there was many a dinner party at the Ferguson household, attended by Marge's students hailing from across the world. Tina and Katie put on shows to entertain all the guests, and there were delicious culinary treats shared from cultures far and wide. In 1991, Marge got an ESL teaching job in Guam, and the family relocated there for one year. Upon returning to the U.S., the family landed back in Colorado, this time in Denver, and Marge began teaching again, ending up at the Community College of Denver (CCD.) During this time, Marge also became very involved at Jefferson Unitarian Church. She was an active member and sang in the choir for many years. She developed rich friendships with many amazing people at JUC, who were loyal and loving supports to Marge throughout the rest of her life. Through her ESL teaching, Marge's infectious warmth and enthusiasm endeared her to a great many students and families, generating ""host homes"" and friends to visit during all her assorted adventures. As recently as 2003, Marge relocated her life for an entire year to teach English in Jiading, China (a suburb of Shanghai.) During the course of her life, she also visited such places as Japan, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Morocco, India, Mexico, and the bulk of Europe. In addition to her love of friends and family, travel, music and JUC, Marge always loved being outdoors--whether on the Pacific coast of San Diego, camping in the Colorado mountains, or enjoying summer dinners on her deck, and walks in the neighborhood with her dog Ernie. The last years of Marge's life were very difficult, spent in assisted living and skilled nursing homes, as she bravely soldiered on. She suffered a great deal, and we are relieved and thankful that her suffering is finally over. Much loved, Marge's exuberant energy and loving, playful spirit spilled over onto many. She will indeed live on in her children, friends, and those who knew and loved her. There will be a memorial service in her honor on Saturday, July 12th, at 11 am, at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jefferson Unitarian Church or Community College of Denver. Please share your memories of Marge and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook.