Obituary of Margaret Ann Ferguson

Margaret Ann Ferguson, January 18, 1945 - May 3, 2020, This miraculous little lady, threw all odds to the wind, and amazed everyone along the way with her will to live. She never ceased to astonish the Doctors by her accomplishments. Given a year to live when born, she proudly held the title of being the oldest living person in Canada with Spina Bifida. She met all her disabilities head on and faced numerous operations along the way but never gave up. She not only learned to ski in Banff, but also brought back many trophies and medals from her ball room dance competitions after taking lessons from Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio in Calgary. Marg was born on January 18, 1945 and was brought up in New Gairloch where she was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, a daughter of Fergus and Nora (Golding) Ferguson. She learned to read before she could walk and never stopped reading. She received her education at Gairloch, Stellarton, and West Pictou Schools, then attended Acadia University where she received her B.A. and B.Ed. After teaching 2 years at New Germany and a year in Berwick, she decided teaching wasn’t her path in life. After working a year at Dartmouth Regional Library, she found her passion and returned to University and received her Masters of Library Service at Dalhousie. Unable to get employment in Nova Scotia, she accepted a position with the Calgary Board of Education for many years until ill health forced her into retirement in 2002. She always wanted to return to Pictou County and in 2005, returned planning on living her remaining years in a nursing home because of her increased disability. Once again, she surprised everyone by living in her own little home with her four legged companion “Lucie” until the end. She is survived by sisters Miriam Ward, Paradise and Betty (Bill) Langille, Scotsburn; nieces and nephews, Wendell, Heather, Tyler and Terra and aunt Sadie Golding, Pictou. Only with the support of her VON family was she able to stay in the comfort of her own home. Each day she looked forward to their visits, the great meals they prepared, the friendship and gossip of the day as they were her main contact with the outside world. Her I Pad was her entertainment the last couple of years and the girls helped her download games, puzzles, and music. She repaid them with her sweet innocent smile and dry witty humour. The exceptional nursing care she received from Lucy Bowser was above and beyond what one could ever hope for. Many, many thanks to the VON family. Thanks also to Donna McNaughton for being that special friend in life, a friendship that was just as strong in 2020 as 1965. For the safety of family and friends there will be no public visitations or funeral service at this time and may be held at a later date. A private grave side service and interment will take place at St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Gairloch.