Margaret A. Ferguson Of North Haven Dies January 25

Margaret A. Ferguson of North Haven and Hobe Sound, Florida, died January 25, 2020, surrounded by her family, at Stony Brook University Hospital. She was 82.

Born in Manhattan on October 27, 1937, she was the daughter of John and Margaret (Mulchrone) Doughty. Following graduation from Sacred Heart High School in the Bronx, she attended City College and then worked in Manhattan. She met Patrick J. Ferguson when they were seated next to each other at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in the spring of 1959. They dated for a few months and married in August 1960. They raised their children in Old Tappan, New Jersey, before retiring to North Haven and Hobe Sound.

Mrs. Ferguson’s passion for Ireland and Irish culture and causes was only exceeded by her love for her family, survivors said. She enjoyed family gatherings — both near and far, ballroom and ceili dancing, Irish social, cultural and political activities, gardening and card games with friends. To see her and her husband on the dance floor with synchronized moves, honed over decades, was impressive, survivors said.

She was an active member of St. Andrew’s Church in Sag Harbor and St. Christopher’s in Hobe Sound. Described by many as a “great lady,” she maintained friendships from childhood in the Highbridge area of the Bronx; from Bergen County, New Jersey, where she raised her children; involvement in Irish organizations in New York, New Jersey and Florida; her churches; extended family; and North Haven and Hobe Sound.

She is survived by her husband, Pat; daughter Peggy Gallagher and husband Steve; son Patrick; grandchildren Julie Gallagher, Connor Gallagher, Claire Ferguson and Kate Ferguson; brother John Doughty and wife Dorothy; brother-in-law Albert Hein and wife Carol; nieces and nephews, John Hein, Andy Hein, Tara Taylor, Alicia Doughty Townsend, and their spouses; and numerous family in the United States and Ireland. She was predeceased by her parents; and her sister, Coletta Hein.

Visitation will be at Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor on Friday, February 7, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 8, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry, c/o Old Whalers’ Church, 44 Union Street, Sag Harbor, where Mrs. Ferguson was a volunteer.