Everyone is invited to celebrate Patty's life on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 10:00 am with refreshments to follow at McCormick and Son Mortuaries. Memorial donations can be made in Patty's name to one of the following causes:

Animals in Need at:http://www.aspca.org/ways-to-give
Memorial E-Cards may be sent to:pauladove@att.net

CHOC Pediatric Cardiac Department at: http://www.choc.org/giving


Our poem from loving Patty:

Live life to the fullest,
Love with all your heart.
Take care of plants and animals,
Fight through pain and sadness.
Protect loved ones with Passion,
Tell it like it is.
Stay out of the hospital,
LAUGH, TALK, and HUG!



Patricia M. Ferguson
1945-2017

Patricia Jane Marshall Ferguson (Patty) was born on December 21, 1945 and passed away on January 22, 2017 at the age of 71 in her home of natural causes in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. She is survived by her daughter: Paula Baldwin and son-in-law John Baldwin; her grandchildren: Jillian Rose Baldwin and Allison Grace Baldwin; her sister: Michaela Jean Edgar (husband Steven) and niece Amy Elizabeth Edgar of Houston, TX and niece Lara Michelle Edgar Smith (husband Fred) and their sons Mark Smith and Christopher Smith of Fort Worth TX; as well as cousins Bradley Benedict and Gary Benedict and their families.

Patty was born in Marion, Ohio to her parents Richard Thomas Marshall and Ruthella Jane Bratton and shared a simple childhood with older sister Michaela (Mikey) before the family relocated several times and put down roots in Houston, Texas. Patty was diagnosed with a cardiac abnormality and at age 10 was Dr. Denton Cooley's third open heart surgery patient. The pain and suffering she endured left an emotional scar but with the love of family and her determination she continued her search for happiness.

In 1964, she married Hugh Conger Thomson III (Tommy) and gave birth to her daughter Paula as worried cardiologists monitored her heart. In 1973, Patty married Andrew Claude Ferguson, who adopted her daughter and the three lived happily together as a family for several years.

Patty enjoyed a long standing career at a prominent family owned Houston department store called Kaplan's Ben Hur where she won the favor of her employer with her expedient pace, accurate results, and her innate way of taking care of the store's loyal elderly customers with both grace and patience.

Patty never turned away a dog, cat, bird, or fish that needed a home. She always wore her St. Christopher's pendant on a long gold chain for protection. She fell in love, cared deeply forthree close friends; Jeanie, Tina and Joyce, and tended to live life with a passion. She held her mother's hand as she passed away at home lived with her father during his later years.

In 2008, Patty packed her belongings and her cat Janie and boarded a flight to Orange County, California to live near her daughter, son-in-law and two grand-daughters.Although she suffered from major pulmonary and cardiac issues, she was and happiest she had been in many years. She enjoyed spending time with family celebrating holidays, birthdays, graduations, and especially watching her grand-daughters perform in aerial and acrobatic shows.

She made regular donations to the ASPCA and loved to watch movies, read People magazine, play crime solving computer games, and take care of her cat Janie and bird Skyla. Patty was always very organized, kept only what she needed or loved and donated to others in need. She loved Elvis, Streisand, and Prince. Patty always remembered family birthdays with cards and generous gifts. She would have long telephone conversations with her sister Mikey and learned to use Facebook and Instagram.

Jillian and Allison always said their grandmother was "cool, full of laughs, and fun". With them she recently experienced "Cavalia Odysseo", the truly amazing horse, aerial, and acrobatic production that she dreamed about each day after. She always had a smile for her family even if she was feeling low and her absence leaves a hole in our hearts no other will ever fill. Patty's departure from this earth came as a surprise to her loved ones but she passed away peacefully in her home, Patty's way.

Per Patty's wishes, her ashes will be placed with daughter Paula.

Patty's family wishes to thank the following:
• St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital and Dr. Denton Cooley
• Fountain Glen Apartment Staff and Neighbors
• Trauma Intervention Program Volunteers, Catherine Kelley and Carol
• St. Mary's IB World School Community
• National Charity League, Inc., Laguna Chapter