Marian Loretta Barrett Ferguson
Marian Loretta Barrett Ferguson, age 99, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2022, surrounded by family in Salt Lake City, Utah. She recently moved to Utah to be closer to her great-grandchildren. Bethesda, Maryland had been her home for over 50 years.
Marian was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the oldest of five children. She graduated from Burbank School of Nursing in Fitchburg, Massachusetts as a registered nurse. Soon after graduating she met her future husband, Kenneth Ferguson, who was stationed in Greenland with the US Navy during WWII.
Marian and Kenneth lived for many years in Saudi Arabia and Iran where Kenneth worked for the US Department of State and Aramco. It was during this time that Marian developed a passion for archeology, geology and travel. A favorite family pastime was exploring ancient archeological and geological sites.
After returning to the United States, Marian worked for many years at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Bethesda, MD as an RN. She thrived on taking care of others and took pride in her nursing profession. Following her retirement, she continued to serve at Sibley Hospital as a volunteer, well into her nineties. She was a devoted caregiver to her husband for several years prior to his passing.
Marian was a faithful and well-loved member of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, MD. She was involved for decades in Community Bible Study, and was an avid reader and biblical scholar as well as a writer and poet. She loved conversing with her friends about gospel topics and sharing her knowledge of the scriptures.
Marian was an avid stamp, coin and doll collector and she was an active member of several national doll clubs.
There was nothing Marian loved more than her family and many friends, and she eagerly enjoyed visits and phone calls and letter writing. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone. She loved going on car rides in the country, going out to lunch, eating ice cream, and socializing.
She remained physically fit and active throughout her life, and was proud of her advanced age. She was opinionated, spunky and feisty, and loved sharing her sense of humor whenever she had the opportunity.
Marian was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Ferguson in 2010 and son Kenneth Ferguson, Jr. in 2016. She is survived by her daughters, Karen Duncan (Douglas) and Laurel Parker (Chase). She was the proud and loving grandmother and great grandmother of ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
A service celebrating her life will be held on July 8, 2022, at 1 p.m., at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland.