Bernadette FERGUSON

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FERGUSON: It is with heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of our mother, grandmother and great grandmother Bernadette "Bea" Ferguson on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Bea was born July 4, 1935 in Brandon and was the only daughter to Albert and Ann Crane. She received her schooling in Brandon and starting working at age fourteen as a taxi dispatcher after school when her father became ill. She worked for various retail stores before she completed a vocational course which led to working for Dilley's Florists, Lloyd Realty and McDonalds Restaurants. She also worked for the Kidney Foundation, Canadian Mental Health and the MS Society before retiring in 2001. She was a member and on the boards for Manitoba Light Horse, Brandon Gymkhana and Rodeo Association and the Brandon Light Horse and Pony Society. She was especially proud of the 25th anniversary of the Westman Charity Horse Show, of which she was involved with from its inception. Bea was an animal lover and always had a dog or two in the house. She competed with her dogs travelling many miles to Obedience Trials and was a Canadian Kennel Club member as well. She is deeply missed by her sheltie dog and best friend "Tori". Racehorses were another interest and in 2001 she fulfilled a lifelong dream travelling to Kentucky to see Churchill Downs and Keenland, as well as Kentucky Horsepark. She could hardly believe she was standing in the winners circle! Mom loved her garden and flower beds, filled with many different varieties of lilies and irises and was always looking for a new variety to try. Mom was a good friend to many people and never forgot a birthday or anniversary. Mom loved any kind of music and sang with St. Michael's Glee Club, St. Augustine's Church Choir, Brandon Barbershop Belles and after retiring, Prairie Oasis Singers. Mom had a strong character and never complained even though she faced many challenges in her life. She raised four children on her own, survived breast cancer, kidney dialysis for seven years three times a week and was getting ready to fight cancer again with dignity and strength. Mom was truly an inspiration to us all. She is survived by daughters Terry (Tim) McLeod of Lorette, Manitoba and Angela (Billy) Burrus of Mt. Juliet, TN and sons Rick (Val) Ferguson of Carroll, Manitoba and Gerald (Sherry) Ferguson of Parksville, B.C. She was Grandma to Rhianna Fitzpatrick, Cody and Carter Ferguson, Michelle Allison and Levi Ferguson, Tyler Burrus, Dustin and Capri Carter and great grandma to Isabella and Brennen Fitzpatrick. She was predeceased by an infant brother Bernard in 1934, her father Albert in 1953 and mother Ann in 1993. A celebration of Bea's life was held on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at Memories Chapel with interment at Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Bea may be made to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, 42 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B2 or to a charity of choice. Expressions of sympathymay be made atwww.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 07, 2011