Joan J. Ferguson

Joan Ferguson passed away on January 19, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Hospital with her family by her side, at the age of 80 years. Joan was born in a log cabin in Forestport on June 11, 1938. She was the middle child of 7 daughters born to Maynard and Adelma (Edwards) Jenkins. Joan attended school in Forestport and later graduated from the Utica School of Commerce. Joan married Paul Merritt Ferguson May 25, 1957 in Rome, NY. She had always wanted a large family and they had 5 children in the first 10 years of marriage. During the 1970s and 80s, Joan assisted her husband with their kennel of Irish setters, raising and finishing many to both American and Canadian championships. During this period, they were members of the central NY Kennel Club and Joan held office as secretary, treasurer, vice president, president and show chairman. Their youngest child, Chris,traveled to dog shows with them. She retired from Husted Concrete Products in NY Mills in 2000. After the death of her husband, Paul, in 2007 just 6 weeks before their 50th anniversary, Joan moved back to Boonville. She had many interests, a member of the Boonville Historical Club. She also was an avid reader, seamstress, and quilter. She also enjoyed painting. Joan is survived by her 5 children: Paula and (Jim) Moore, Holland Patent, Donna Ferguson, Osprey, FL, Diane Ferguson, Eureka Springs, AR, Scott and (Lisa) Ferguson, Newport, and Christopher and (Eunice) Ferguson, Philadelphia, PA. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Matthew Dickan, Philip Dickan, Michael and (Meredith) LaFave, Andrew and (Audrey) Dickan, Dru Fazio, Hannah and (Sony) Barari, Caitlin Ferguson, Liam Ferguson, and Aidan Ferguson, 2 great grandchildren: Merritt and Jude Dickan, 2 sisters: Bette Murphy and Candace Combs, both of Boonville, and many nieces and nephews. Joan is predeceased by 4 sisters: Delores Okusko, Beverly Ritter, Phylis Jenkins, and Patricia Hughes. Visiting hours are Saturday, January 26, from 2-4 P.M. with a Memorial Service at 4 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. Interment in the spring will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 100 Lomond Court, Utica, NY 13502.