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Jim Thorp posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Beverly's (Mrs. Ferguson's) path and mine crossed for January of 1972 during 'Mini-courses' at Marshall. I was in 8th grade and Mini-courses were an experimental concept with two semesters on either side of a month (January) that allowed enrichment classes. There were still 7 periods in a school-day but instead of math you took a slide-rule class for example (the slide rule was on its way out in 1972). The classes were graded Pass/Fail. Mrs. Ferguson taught beginning guitar to satisfy the music requirement. It sounded simple to an underachiever such as myself so I quickly signed up.
It was evident from the first day of class that the course was not going to be easy. She made it clear we would all need to play a song on guitar while singing accompaniment to pass HER course. She pushed, but at the same time encouraged me in a way that made me want to complete the task. I had a cheap guitar I bought with paper-route money. The neck and strings were barely in the same zip code but she taught me to play. I even practiced at home! She supplied such a varied selection of mimeographed music to choose from. I still have Puff the Magic Dragon and various other copies I play from to this day.
I still love to play the guitar and sing. I even write songs of my own. I joined our church choir a few years ago and they let the children's choir sing one of my songs while I accompanied them with the guitar. I never would have had that experience without Mrs. Ferguson's kick-start in 8th grade.
Another thing I remember about Mrs. Ferguson: She had a 'hippy/flower- child' vibe to her that peeked out from the teacher-in-control; swaying to the beat of a John Denver wannabe while he sang Leavin' on a Jet Plane to pass her course. Thank you so much!
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Doug Helmers posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Mrs. Ferguson was my 7th Grade teacher at Janesville Junior High School, school year 1961-62. She was a true blessing! Only with the passing of years did I gain insight and come to appreciate what a saint the Lady was! Four of us rascals - myself, Mike O.; Peter K.; and Jerry S. must have been a daily burden for this dear lady. I am sorry for that. Through it all I remember a true Lady of patience; an educator graced with understanding of / for the emerging adolescents which we were; steadfast, unwavering excellence in her craft, with the highest of expectations, always; and her seemingly ever-present smile! Her eyes could enter your soul to help buoy the troubled lad whose drunken parent caused havoc the night before; those eyes could also freeze, mid-stride, us naughty and challenging upstarts who daily challenged her resolve (and sanity, I�m sure)! Little did I know then what a wonderful Life Guide and Role Model the lady was. I�m blessed to have come to the realization.
Fast forward to 1996. The new Marshall Middle School has been built, and the final minutes of the public �Thank You Taxpayers!� Open House were ticking to a close. Now a 7th Grade teacher, I remember standing in my brand new classroom, basking in my love of 7th Graders, profoundly grateful for this splendid new edifice in which to conduct the craft of educating young people. Movement at the door - a silver-haired lady entered and began to scan the room. Our eyes met, and I delighted in greeting the wonderful woman who had been such a role model those many years before! During that brief reunion I was able to thank that dear lady, Mrs. Beverly Ferguson, for all she had meant to me ( and apologized for the troubles my younger self had visited upon her ). What a profound conclusion to the special night! So very thankful I had had the chance to thank that wonderful woman for helping keep me on a good Life�s Path.
Mrs. Ferguson, you were a Blessing to us all. I humbly thank you for all you were! I�m certain that God has blessed you with a special place in the Great Beyond!
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Kathy Corrado McCarthy posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Sorry to hear of Bev's passing. I remember her well from teaching and Janesville Little Theatre. I remember her AFS daughter, Clara, well also.
I will never forget the time I saw Mrs. Ferguson walking down Milwaukee Street in Janesville promoting the season tickets for JLT. It must have been around 1973 or 1974.
My she rest in peace.
With love and sympathy,
Kathy Corrado McCarthy
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Carolyn (Theune) Brady posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
What a wonderful person your Mother was. She always had a bright smile and look that made you feel special. Her wonderful spirit lives on in her daughters. She had a full and wonderful life and was blessed with love of her family.
We are thinking of all of you at this sad time and sending love your way
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