Nancy Lee Ferguson

Nancy Ferguson(1937-2016) Ferguson, Nancy 79 Mar. 08, 1937 July 13, 2016 Nancy Ferguson passed away July 13, 2016, at home in Portland. Nancy was born March 8, 1937, to Ken and Lorraine Ferguson in Juneau, Alaska, where her father, a Portlander, had taken a teaching assignment. A sister, Sally, joined the clan in 1939 and shortly thereafter they moved to Portland. The family grew to include sisters, Judy and Susan. Settling in the Laurelhurst neighborhood in 1946, Nancy lived the great majority of the next 60 years in the Northeast Portland neighborhood. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism in 1958, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and Theta Sigma Phi journalism honorary. Nancy's first two years after college were spent in Lewiston, Idaho, where she worked on the Lewiston Tribune as a reporter. In 1962, she began a 34-year association with the English department at David Douglas High School. Upon retirement, Nancy took her own advice to find again those things that made her happy as a child. She promptly began masters level piano classes and gardening. Two afternoons a week found her in Tai Chi classes. She was involved in book clubs for many years and never seemed far from Broadway Books in Northeast Portland. Evenings might include the Portland opera, ballet, symphony, Pops, or arts and lectures. She was a series subscriber at certain times to all of the events and for a few years included each one in her schedule. Friends and family were grateful for the advent of voicemail. Another thread that ran throughout her entire life was her great love of the Oregon coast. She enjoyed a 41-year association with her beloved Tanana Street in Cannon Beach where she entertained friends and family at home, spent hours reading and took epic walks on the sand. Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations were often shared at her beach cabin where guests always ate too much and shared stories and laughs. As active as she was in so many things, family was the central part of Nancy's life and she relished the role of aunt. Every conversation one had with Nancy somehow incorporated the adventures or activities of the next generation. She was Aunt Ne to nieces and nephews, for grandnieces and grandnephews and for the younger generation of the Allen family. All were beneficiaries of her kindness and all have special stories of art projects, precious time spent on Tanana Street or Laurelhurst Place, thoughtful advice and help with all things associated with the English language! Nancy is survived by her sisters, Sally Olsen and Judy Cochran; brothers-in-law, Tom Fox and Bill Cochran; three nephews; two nieces; three grandnieces; two grand- nephews; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Susan Fox; and brother-in-law, Tom Olsen. All are invited to a graveside service to be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2016, in Sunset Hills Memorial Park. Please refer to: www.finleysunsethills.com. A reception will follow at the Rose City Park United Methodist Church. Remembrances may be made to Rose City Park United Methodist Church, cancer research or a favorite charity.