Virginia A. Ferguson

FERGUSON, Virginia A.
Age 79
Of Kalamazoo Virginia Ferguson of Kalamazoo, MI died at her home on Thursday, September 08, 2011 with her family by her side. Virginia Ferguson was born November 10, 1931 to Gordon and Charlotte Young Aller. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois in the south side Beverly community where she attended Longwood Academy, a private high school for girls. Ms. Ferguson pursued liberal arts studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before marrying Dr. Robert K. Ferguson in 1952. She worked as a floor model for Saks Fifth Avenue in Chicago, IL before moving to Boston, MA and ultimately Kalamazoo, MI, raising four children, and serving on the Women's Council of Kalamazoo College. Virginia, beloved wife, mother and friend, is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert K. Ferguson; four children, Robin Ferguson of Douglass, MI, George Ferguson of Ganges, MI, Gordon Ferguson of Downers Grove, IL, and Peter Ferguson of South Haven, MI; and two grandchildren, Sarah and Nick Ferguson of Downers Grove, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charlotte and Gordon Aller, formerly of Saugatuck, MI. Virginia Ferguson was a warm, bright and well read woman whose unwavering belief in equality and kindness let her to support the integration of the Kalamazoo public schools and volunteer for Planned Parenthood and operation PUSH. To her friends Virginia Ferguson is remembered as "Ginny", a kind and gracious woman who treated everyone she met with warmth, interest, concern and respect. Virginia Ferguson loved traveling throughout Europe, as well as the Caribbean islands with her husband and spoke French fluently. Virginia Ferguson loved spending time with family and friends at the family's beachfront home in Fennville, Michigan, and loved nature, art, animals, books and film. She was active in the Saugatuck Yacht Club, where her son Peter learned to sail. At the request of the family, friends may call from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, Kalamazoo. Her funeral service will be held at the Langeland Memorial Chapel where services will be held at
11:00 AM Wednesday, September 14th with Kalamazoo College Chaplin Elizabeth Candido officiating. The service will be followed by a brief reception at the funeral home. A private family committal will be held
in Douglas Cemetery in Saugatuck Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wishbone Pet Rescue of Saugatuck MI, or AL-VAN Humane Society, Allegan MI. Please visit www.langelands.com for online guestbook, memories and condolences for the family.