It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce that Beverley Ferguson of St. Albert passed away peacefully on June 19, 2019 following a long struggle with COPD.

She will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 56 years, Wayne; daughter, Dhana; sons: Shawn (Brenda) and Sheldon; grandchildren: Dylan and Noah; sisters: Flo (Doug) Britton, and Bonnie (Jim) Rorison; brothers-in-law: Jim (Linda) Ferguson and Scott (Janet) Ferguson; sisters-in-law: Carolyn Black, Cathy (Allan) Toshack and Sylvia Ferguson as well as numerous relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her brother, Gordon Black and her parents, George and Dorothy Black.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Connelly-McKinley, St. Albert Funeral Home, 9 Muir Drive, St. Albert, AB.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made in Beverley’s name to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and NWT, the Lung Association of Alberta & NWT or Covenant Foundation – Foyer Lacombe.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Foyer Lacombe Hospice Care, the Sturgeon Community Hospital and the Edmonton General Hospital (6Y) and to her homecare support team. Your excellent care and support for Mom and our family will always be gratefully remembered.

 

 

 

It is with sorrow in our hearts that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law in Calgary, Alberta in her 99^th year, six months short of her 100^th birthday. She had just planted her quota of tomatoes and flowers for the summer.

 

Mary was born in Gelgaudiskis, Lithuania to Konstantinas and Agota Raciunas. She was the eldest child in a farming family of 5 children. She shared memories of being young and enjoying the beauty of summer – fresh cut hay, and the sound of nightingales and buzzing bees. Mom often reflected on the opportunities that her parents gave her. She was the only one in her family to receive a formal education. Her high school and university years were joyful. Along with studies, there were concerts, operas, picnics, dances, and suitors, one of whom was our father, Paul Gudjurgis. He was studying veterinary medicine, and she was studying dentistry. In 1944, she graduated, married Paul, and the decision was made to leave their families and homeland to escape the uncertainties of war. After living in a refugee camp in Spakenburg, Germany for 5 years, they had the opportunity to emigrate to Canada with their children Paul Jr. and Lydia. Around the time that they set sail for Canada, Mary’s family was deported to Siberia.

 

They arrived in Boyle, Alberta to work as farm hands. Not long after, they moved to Athabasca where Paul worked as the district veterinarian.  It is here that Ruth was born. They worked very hard to establish themselves, build their lives in Canada, and raise their children. Mary was a full-time mother, who was comfortable practicing her dentistry skills on her children. Mom has fond remembrances of a simple life raising their children in rural Alberta – no locks on the doors, no running water, picking berries by the river, and a kind community which welcomed them.

 

Dinah was born in Edmonton, where the family moved in 1953. Mary lived there until 2008.  The family enjoyed being part of a tightly knit Lithuanian community, including many fellow refugees who became “family”.  Over the years, Mary’s passions were music and gardening. She was a classical music devotee, and a regular attendee of opera and symphony. She was also a folkie, enjoying Joan Baez, Ian and Sylvia, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Her agricultural roots showed in her large vegetable garden and beautiful flowerpots. Her tomato plants were her babies. Mom was an excellent cook and talented hostess. She made wonderful Lithuanian food, amazing tortes, and made a great barbeque roast. Mom was elegant, stylish, and loved fashion, especially hats and gloves. She loved to read, enjoyed the newspaper, and kept up to date on world events and politics.

 

She travelled to Ontario, Greece, Turkey, Hawaii, Chicago, New York, San Diego, and Victoria, and made two memorable trips to her homeland, which gave her the opportunity to finally see family she had not seen in decades. But it was the frequent trips to the Rockies with her family that fed her soul. She loved being in nature.

 

Mary’s kids always came first. Mom sacrificed much to provide us with a happy home, including her dentistry career. Our dad passed away in 1980, leaving mom alone to then care for her beloved daughter Lydia, whose battle with schizophrenia left a hole in mom’s heart that never healed. Mary was Lydia’s rock after her diagnosis and up until her passing in 2002. We still mourn Lydia’s passing. When grandsons Paul and Tom came into her life, she relished her role as grandmother. She gave them unconditional love, which then came back to her.

 

Our parents treasured the opportunities provided to them by Canada. They were proud Canadians, but always held Lithuania close to their hearts. Having lived a long life, Mary was able to reflect on and appreciate her many blessings. Mary was feisty, funny, and brave. She was kind, grateful, humble, and strong. She was smart, but more importantly, she was wise. She loved April Fool’s Day. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmother and mother-in-law.

 

She leaves behind her son, Paul (Mona); daughters Ruth (Carl) and Dinah (Jim); grandsons, Paul and Tom; and former son-in-law, Pat Reid. Mary was predeceased by her husband Dr. Paul Gudjurgis in 1980, and daughter Lydia in 2002.

 

We want to thank the staff of Garrison Green for the care and compassion that she received there. She always appreciated the daily acts of care and support. We extend a special thank you to Dr. Thomas Louie and Dr. Brian Geremia who provided such compassionate care and support to mom.

 

Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 26, 2019 at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, 10011 114 Street, Edmonton.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on June 27, 2019 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9830 148 Street, Edmonton with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, kindly donate to a charity of your choice.

 

Thank-you Mom. Love you lotsa.