Frances Ferguson

June 19, 1935 ~ October 13, 2023
Frances (Fran) M. Ferguson, 88, ascended into heaven on October 13 after a long illness. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 30 years, Daniel A. Ferguson.
Born June 19, 1935, in Waterbury, CT, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence Rogers and Marie Rogers. She was a graduate of Fordham University (B.S), University of Dayton (M.A.) and completed training in Pastoral Counseling. She was a member of the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame for 33 years where she served as a school teacher and counselor.
After leaving the convent, she worked as a pastoral associate and director of the senior center at St. Benedict Church in the Bronx, NY. It was there that she met Daniel Ferguson who would become her husband.
In retirement, she and her husband moved from the Bronx to Tobyhanna, PA, where they built a new home. Fran thrived in engaging the community and doing charitable work with numerous organizations, including St. Mary of the Mount Catholic Church, the Pocono Mountain Arts Council and the Pocono Mountain Library.
In 2017, she moved to Lake Ronkonkoma to be near her Ferguson family. Most notably, Karen Ferguson Corsini provided extraordinary love, care, and support during Fran’s illness. While living in Long Island, Fran made special new friends, in particular, Joe DiGregorio and the Golden Girls at Atria Hertlin Place.
From leading sessions of the Rosary to engaging with people of all backgrounds, religion was an essential part of every day. Throughout her life, Fran practiced her strong Catholic faith, touching a great many lives with her unique kindness that radiated to all around her.
In addition to her husband, Daniel, she was predeceased by her brothers Lawrence Rogers of Wallingford, CT, William Rogers of Waterbury, CT, and her nephew, Larry Rogers, of Waterbury, CT.
She is survived by her niece, Kathleen Rogers Frega, and her husband, Paul, of Farmington, CT.
She is survived by her step-daughters, Denise Ferguson of Ronkonkoma, New York, Karen Corsini and her husband, Ernest, of Ronkonkoma, New York; step-son, Daniel Ferguson of Los Angeles,CA, step-grandchildren Jacqueline Corsini of Brooklyn, NY, Nicholas Corsini of Ronkonkoma, NY, Victoria Corsini of Bayport, NY, and Michael Moreno of Aurora Colorado.
She is survived by longtime friends Priscilla and Jim Pfeifer of Carmel, NY, and Donna Calabrese of Fishkill, NY.
Fran’s passing will leave a permanent void in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 800 Portion Rd, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.
Interment will be a later date in PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by check to All About Cats Rescue, 111 East Sunrise Highway, Freeport, NY 11520. Please put donation to the attention of Cindy Roth.
Fran was a very special person. She was a calming presence for many, a shoulder to cry on and listened without judgement. She didn’t insert her opinions unless asked. She had the ability to see all sides of a person and found good in everyone. She had a great sense of humor and never complained.
In her honor let’s all try to make this earth a better place and lead by example. Be kind, be compassionate, give to others and treat people how you would like to be treated.
Rest In Peace my “ wicked” stepmother. ❤️❤️❤️
Fran was a beautiful gift I adored and laughed with almost every day. It would be sad that we didn’t know each other very well until Dad passed nearly 7 years ago if we didn’t truly make up for lost time and grow to appreciate and love each other so much. Every day, Fran woke up happy and brought joy and love to anyone or anything that crossed her path. She surrounded herself with kind, funny and caring friends, life-long friends like Donna, Priscilla and Jim, then later her “crew” at Atria – the Golden Girls. I love to tell people about going to hang out with the Golden Girls for lunch at Atria. The first time I did, later that day I called Fran and said, “I can’t believe I spent hours with people in their 80s and 90s and did not hear a single word of complaint, not a medical issue, or a gripe of any kind. All I heard were fun stories and laughs!” Fran said “Why talk about our complaints? Everyone has things they have to deal with but when we’re together, we just like to have fun and laugh.” Talk about an example for living your best life!
Less than a year after Dad died, Fran was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. That’s when she began her fourth act in life – one she never would have hoped for because it didn’t include her husband. But life on Long Island proved to be a beautiful chapter for Fran and the whole family and her “new” friends. Her step-children and grandchildren were almost all 10-15 minutes away instead of hours, and the love between all really blossomed and grew so deep.
All of us who love Fran and always will owe thanks to Fran for her love and friendship. And to Dan/Dad/Grandpa for bringing her into so many of our lives. I’m also so grateful to her niece Kathy and to Karen, her primary caregiver over these last 7 years. Karen was there for Fran every single day, providing care, support, friendship, counsel and every thing you could imagine. Denise, Ernie, Jacqueline and Chris (who adopted Fran’s beloved cat Maya), Victoria and Zach, Nick and so many others gave Fran the love and attention that so many older people don’t receive in their later years. They made sure to love and receive love and cherish their time together.
I will miss so much about Fran, but my life is fuller and my heart bigger because of her. What a Fran-tastic gift my step-mother was! May your wonderful memories of her fill some of the void left by her passing. Oh and be good! We all KNOW who will be awaiting our arrival at the Pearly Gates! (I wish I had the technical skills to insert the picture of Fran in her nun’s habit!)
Fran was a beautiful gift I adored and laughed with almost every day. It would be sad that we didn’t know each other very well until Dad passed nearly 7 years ago if we didn’t truly make up for lost time and grow to appreciate and love each other so much. Every day, Fran woke up happy and brought joy and love to anyone or anything that crossed her path. She surrounded herself with kind, funny and caring friends, life-long friends like Donna, Priscilla and Jim, then later her “crew” at Atria – the Golden Girls. I love to tell people about going to hang out with the Golden Girls for lunch at Atria. The first time I did, later that day I called Fran and said, “I can’t believe I spent hours with people in their 80s and 90s and did not hear a single word of complaint, not a medical issue, or a gripe of any kind. All I heard were fun stories and laughs!” Fran said “Why talk about our complaints? Everyone has things they have to deal with but when we’re together, we just like to have fun and laugh.” Talk about an example for living your best life! Less than a year after Dad died, Fran was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. That’s when she began her fourth act in life – one she never would have hoped for because it didn’t include her husband. But life on Long Island proved to be a beautiful chapter for Fran and the whole family and her “new” friends. Her step-children and grandchildren were almost all 10-15 minutes away instead of hours, and the love between all really blossomed and grew so deep. All of us who love Fran and always will owe thanks to Fran for her love and friendship. And to Dan/Dad/Grandpa for bringing her into so many of our lives. I’m also so grateful to her niece Kathy and to Karen, her primary caregiver over these last 7 years. Karen was there for Fran every single day, providing care, support, friendship, counsel and every thing you could imagine. Denise, Ernie, Jacqueline and Chris (who adopted Fran’s beloved cat Maya), Victoria and Zach, Nick and so many others gave Fran the love and attention that so many older people don’t receive in their later years. They made sure to love and receive love and cherish their time together. I will miss so much about Fran, but my life is fuller and my heart bigger because of her. What a Fran-tastic gift my step-mother was! May your wonderful memories of her fill some of the void left by her passing. Oh and be good! We all KNOW who will be awaiting our arrival at the Pearly Gates! (I wish I had the technical skills to insert the picture of Fran in her nun’s habit!)