IRENE FERGUSON (MCRAE)

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

• I worked with Irene at the Health Sciences Centre for numerous years. She was wonderful to me when I started and to all new comers to the lab. She was a hard worker and great story teller and we all learnt a lot from her. She was always willing to help you when you had a problem. I enjoyed her many stories of her and Fergie's travel and some times would meet up with them in obscure airports. Our sincere sympathy to Fergie and all the children and their families. Ron and Susan. - Posted by: Susan Henderson (Friend Co-worker) on: Jul 02, 2014

• Irene your spirit will be with us always. Your family stories always have made us think our family was normal. We will always remember the family events and our camping trips, and visits they will be part of our history that we can pass down to our kids. May you have as much fun watching over us as we will have remembering your loving kindness to each and everyone who was part of your circle. Fergie we are always here for you. - Posted by: Ron & Alice Gibson (Friends) on: Jul 02, 2014

• I wish to extend my deepest condolences to "Fergy", Lori, Cathy, and Bruce and to all of her beloved family. Our Irene was a very special lady. Indeed she was a woman of great character and substance, with charm, wit, style and a contagious sense of humor. She embraced life to the fullest and enriched the lives of all who knew her. The delightful stories that she told us of her countless family and travel escapades were the highlight of many a day at work. We all knew what to wear after having our “Colors” done and we all looked fabulous in our “Sensational Scarves”! Irene was an inspiration to us all. The joy of her laughter will remain in my heart. The spirit of her kindness will rest in my soul and I will fondly cherish all the wonderful memories that Irene has given to me for the rest of my days. Irene, “Ya done good"! With Love, Liz Armitage - "What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us" - Helen Keller - Posted by: Liz Armitage (Friend and longtime co-worker at HSC) on: Jul 01, 2014

• We met Irene and Fergy in 1990 when Ole and I decided to take up dance lessons again, we danced Thursday night and although we all quit the dancing years ago, we still had coffee together on Thursday evenings. Irene regaled us with many stories over the years - so many of them hilarious - one of them when she went "on strike" and paraded up and down the street carrying a sign! We shared many good times over the years and were with Irene and Fergy on Valentine's this last February certainly not thinking it would be our last time together. We miss you Irene! - Posted by: Hanne and Ole Hansen (Friends) on: Jul 01, 2014

• I remember well the first time I met Irene. My husband had returned to the University of Saskatchewan and I was working at the University News Services office. We arranged to meet at the University Cafeteria for lunch. "How will I know you", she asked… My reply: "it's easy. I am just a smaller version of Fergie"! She entered the cafeteria, looked around the several hundred students, and came straight to my table. So I met my sister–to–be. I've never had a sister and was delighted to be related to this lovely, funny, warm young woman. I had the great good fortune to be her third sister for the rest of her life. I shall miss her greatly. Every hour we ever spent together was such a joy, whether in Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, or Ottawa. Her passing leaves a large hole in my heart. Phyllis MacNeill (née Ferguson). While I share Phyl’s memory of our first meeting with Irene (because of the joyful way she described her later that evening), my own memories are too many and too rich for words to do justice to them. I vividly remember each of her and Fergies’ visits to Paris, Geneva and Ottawa where she brought us energy, joy, laughter and love. Driving through Europe with Irene in the back of the car was always a bit risky, not because she was a backseat driver – Phyl allowed no competition in that department – but because she kept us laughing steadily. Once in Sarasota we came up to a Lexis that didn't quite meet the standard of mine and she immediately passed judgment: "piece of junk". One of her favorite compliments was "you done good", which I first heard when she presented me with an engraved silver wine cooler marked with those words when the U of S awarded me an honorary doctorate. Fergie, no slouch in the same department, gave the funniest toast I have ever heard. But my fondest memories are of our visits to Winnipeg. We always stayed with them and I always gained a few pounds while I was there. Irene was one of the greatest chefs I know and her strawberry-rhubarb pie and tomato aspic salad were irresistible - without question my all-time favorites. On one occasion she forgot to put sugar in the rhubarb pie, as she realized with horror when she saw my expression after my first eager bite. Every time we met thereafter, we recalled the event with hails of laughter. I will never forget it. As I will never forget Irene, the epitome of love, laughter and joy – the perfect sister-in-law. Jim MacNeill. - Posted by: MacNeill Jim (Brother-in-law) on: Jun 30, 2014

• Our cherished friend of nearly fifty-five years is deeply missed by Yvonne McCaffrey, June Holmes, and myself. We treasure the memories and the sheer joy of the "girls' re-union week" that we four shared together each year over the past thirty years. We give thanks for the advent of such an incredibly rare and unique friendship. The euphoria of our laughter and our sharing during these years grants stength to the three of us in Irene's absence. To have known Irene is to have witnessed the meaning of life. We are grateful for the privilege of having had her in ours. - Posted by: E. Claire Harvey (Friend) on: Jun 29, 2014

• We first met Irene and Fergy in 1982 in Hawaii, as we were friends with her sister, Mary and husband Don from Regina. We all got together for an evening of sociability. We met them on a few more occasions over the years, but it was through my membership as a member of Daughters of the Nile in Regina, with a close association to Sphinx Temple, DON in Winnipeg, that I saw Irene more often. She was so much fun and loved life and all that it had to offer. She is greatly missed by all her friends. We were privileged to know her and her spirit lives on through our ongoing friendship with her sister, Mary and husband Don. Our sympathy is extended to the Ferguson family and all her friends. - Posted by: Audrey and Bob Forrest, Regina, SK (Friends) on: Jun 29, 2014

• Will always be cherished with fondest memories! - Posted by: Kathryn Ramsay (Pr. Kathryn through Daughters of the Nile and Ilderams Dance group) on: Jun 28, 2014