Peggy Ferry

Born: February 10, 1919

Passed into the Lord’s arms: February 12, 2008

Born in Pasadena, California, Peggy Ferry was one of the two stars of our life. For nearly nine decades she was our example of the ideal of motherhood: a devoted wife, a loving mother and a generous volunteer.

She grew up in Altadena, San Diego and later, Glendale, California. It was during her time at Glendale High School, that she first met the young man, Bill Ferry, who would later become her costar, husband and father to their three children.

Marriage was put on hold when war intervened, and Peggy became a Red Cross nurse. In 1942 Bill Ferry was granted leave between his training and next assignment and he and Peggy both eagerly jumped at the chance to get married. For the following year or two, she accompanied Bill to a number of bases around the United States as he took on more assignments as Captain in the US Army. In 1944 he was shipped over to Europe where he remained until 1946.

Little Billy Ferry was born in December of 1946, Jane in December of 1948 and Helen Anne, born in June of 1955, completed their family. Peggy made sure the children all got a little art and music in their education, while Bill occasionally had to supply the discipline. In 1951 the family moved into a house in La Canada, and have called it home ever since.

As her family grew, Peggy found increasing rewards in a wide field of volunteer projects. Over the years she gave much of herself. She was on the boards of four Catholic grammar and high schools. Peggy was a volunteer at Holy Family Adoption Center; a supporter of the Holy Angels Church for the Deaf; a charter member of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church and her parish’s Grief Ministry group; and a member of the Education Foundation of Los Angeles Catholic Diocese. She also served as a trustee for the Fund for Irish Seminaries and long actively supported the Right-to-Life Program.

Her service also included the Bethlehem House for the Poor, Angel’s Flight Los Angeles, the Cardinal’s House of Prayer and the Christ Child Society of Pasadena.

Peggy’s activities were never about rewards, but such unselfish service did not go unrecognized. Several civic and church groups have honored her for her actions over the years.

Mom lived with a willingness to embrace the challenges that living and old age delivered. Anyone who asked her how she was doing, up until the day of her death, likely heard “Fine, dear.”

Could she be described as Catholic? Most assuredly but many of her unreported endeavors were aimed at anyone in need. We, her children, can testify to a life given to others. We are also, fortunately, the biggest beneficiaries of her (& Dad’s) love, support and example. Her five grandchildren exhibit living proof of that continued spirit of productivity and generosity.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, William Ferry (2000); and their daughter Jane (1972). She is survived by William Ferry Jr, his wife Beth, Helen McMeekin her husband Tom and her five precious grandchildren: Mike, Ann, Sara, Kay & Tyler.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to either St. Andrews Monastery (P. O. Box 40, Valyermo, Ca 93563) or St. Bede’s Brothers Helpers (215 Foothill Blvd, La Canada, Ca 91011)