Mrs. Edith Ferguson

Editorial Department • Published 13 May 2010 09:37

Edith Laing Ferguson of Farnamullen, Lisbellaw died at Gortacharn Private Nursing Home, Lisnaskea on Thursday, May 6, 2010 aged 86 years. Edith had been in declining health for several years.

Edith had a long, happy and productive life, both in Scotland and later in Northern Ireland where she made her home.

Edith was born in Larbert near Falkirk, Scotland on December 11, 1923, to Thomas and Margaret Milliken.

She had one brother, Tom, who predeceased her. Following her early education in Falkirk, Edith attended secretarial college and began her working career in Alexander's Coachbuilders in Falkirk.

During the war, Edith saw active service in the Women's Royal Air Force from January 1944 to May 1946. She was stationed at the receiving camp, Camp Winslow and later at Blackpool. Thereafter she served at Nairn for the remainder of the war as "Leading Aircraftswoman". At Nairn, Edith met William (Bill) Ferguson, whom she married on September 20, 1946.

After the war, Edith and Bill lived briefly in Warrenpoint, Co. Down, before moving to Enniskillen in the early 1950's (Bill was originally from a well-known agricultural family in the Derrygonnelly area, and the lure of the home turf was very strong). For many years Edith was a proud homemaker and housewife, looking after her sons Ronald, born 1948 and Neil born 1955. She was a very active member of St. Macartin's Cathedral, Enniskillen.

Summers in the late 1950's and 1960's were spent at her caravan home in Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal, right on the Atlantic Ocean -a very idyllic paradise. In 1972 Edith and her family moved to Farnamullan, Lisbellaw where Edith has lived continuously prior to her stay in Gortacharn Private Nursing Home.

In later years Edith went back into the workforce, working in administration at Taylor Woods, Kent Plastics and later the Erne Laundry. Following that, Edith made a career as a civil servant with the Police Service N.Ireland (PSNI), initially in the Enniskillen barracks, and later in Lisnaskea. At this time Bill was in the security services, as a part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR). Following Bill's unexpected death in 1983, the UDR was instrumental in providing continual emotional and material support to Edith and Edith's family is most grateful for this support. Edith retired from the civil service in 1988.

Edith was a stalwart member of the Lisbellaw community. She was an active member of Lisbellaw Church of Ireland and sang in the Church choir. She was also a member of the Mothers' Union and Women's Institute as well as Lisbellaw Bowling Club. She was very much involved in all things to do with the village of Lisbellaw where she made a great many friends who stayed friends for the rest of her life.

Edith was a founder member of the William Ferguson Memorial Clan Society (WFMCS); a member of the Fermanagh branch of the Women's Royal Air Force Association (WRAP) and continued with some part-time work - in particular invigilating at the Collegiate School GCE examinations.

Edith was inspired by Christian and family values as well as a strong sense of community obligations.

She leaves behind her two sons, Ronald and Neil, a daughter-in-law Deirdre, three grandchildren, Julie, Jenny, Christopher and one great-granddaughter, Georgianna.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Austen Stinson of W.T. Morrison, Enniskillen.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 13 May 10

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