Rose Mary Ferguson

Rose Mary “Rosie” (Simone) Ferguson, 93, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, entered into eternal rest on Sunday morning, July 19, 2026. She was born on March 14, 1933, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Sergio “Samuel” Simone and Lucia “Lucy” (Maffione) Simone, who immigrated from Bisceglie, Italy, to build a new life for their family.

Rose was reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Donald R. Ferguson, who preceded her in death on November 11, 2018. Together they shared a lifetime of faith, family, and a love of duplicate bridge. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her older brother, Dominic Simone; and her older sister, Mary (Simone) Wyss.

Rose graduated from Central Catholic High School, attended college, was an avid traveler, and enjoyed a long career as an executive secretary for International Harvester in Fort Wayne.

Rose was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church for 60 years joining the parish around 1965, and was among its longest-living members. She taught CCD for many years and remained an active member of the parish throughout her life.

Duplicate bridge was one of Rose’s greatest passions. It was through bridge that she met the love of her life, Don. Together they achieved the rank of Gold Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League and were active members of the Fort Wayne Duplicate Bridge Club for many years. Rose taught duplicate bridge for more than 40 years, including through the Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne Continuing Studies program. She found great joy in teaching the game and treasured the lifelong friendships it brought her.

Just one month before her passing, Rose was living life much as she always had—independent, active, and enjoying the game she loved. Even at age 93, she was still celebrating first-place finishes with her beloved bridge partners. Her sudden and unexpected illness came as a profound shock to all who knew and loved her.

During her final weeks, Rose was comforted by the love and support of her family, cherished friends, bridge partners, fellow parishioners, and many others whose lives she had touched. She was also sustained by visits, prayers, anointing, and blessings from clergy and devoted spiritual friends. When she entered into eternal rest, she was accompanied by the loving presence of her devoted daughter.

Whether in her church community, at the bridge table, or around the dinner table, Rose had a gift for bringing people together. She was known as an exceptional cook whose family and friends always looked forward to gathering around her table. Her warmth, hospitality, quiet strength, generosity, and steadfast faith touched all who knew her.

Rose is survived by her loving daughter, Lisa Ferguson-Sells (Jeremy Sells); her cherished grandson, Jaxson Dalton Sells; her sister, Virginia (Vingenzina) Wyman; her nieces and nephews Scott, Sam, and Nancy Wyman; Kris, Steve, Laura Wyss, and Beth (Wyss) Bohler; Mike (Gail) Simone, Mary, Marie Simone, and Lucy (Simone) Gase; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and many beloved cousins in Akron, Ohio; California; Bisceglie, Italy; and Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Rose will be remembered for her unwavering faith, devotion to her family, love of duplicate bridge, remarkable culinary talents, generous heart, and the many friendships she cultivated throughout her life. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she enriched through her teaching, kindness, hospitality, and the example she set for her family, friends, students, fellow parishioners, and the bridge community.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Rose’s life during visitation on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m. at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes – Covington Knolls, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, 1101 South Lafayette Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802, with one hour of visitation prior to the Mass. Burial will follow at Catholic Cemetery, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805. A luncheon, graciously provided by St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, will follow the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church (online giving: https://stmarysfw.org/give/) or to St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen (online donations: https://stmarysfw.org/st-marys-soup-kitchen/).