Susan Ann Ferguson, age 77, of Shelby, passed away peacefully Friday night, October 11, 2024 at Avita Health System- Ontario Hospital with her children at her side. Her death follows a brief and rapid battle with cancer.
Susan was born February 6, 1947 in Shelby to the late Henry William and Janice Ann (Valk) Fetzer and graduated in 1965 from Shelby High School. Desiring to become a teacher, she began college and did student teaching at both St. Bernard Catholic School in New Washington and the YMCA before pausing to start and raise her family. She returned to college in the 80s, earning a bachelor’s degree in education from The Ohio State University. This degree allowed her to fulfill her passion and inner drive to become a teacher- a career she thrived in.
In 1988, Susan began her teaching career at St. Mary School in Shelby where she faithfully devoted her life and time to teaching students for many years. Mrs. Ferguson was the epitome of an ideal teacher. She loved and cared about her students deeply, something that never stopped even when they we no longer in her classroom. Always proud of her students, both the good and those that were not as easy, she worried for them long into adulthood, whether they had knowledge of it or not, and followed their successes. Teaching first grade for all but one year, she remained at St. Mary School until 2001. It was then that she took at position of St. Peter’s Catholic School in Mansfield. Enticed by the opportunity to teach Ohio history, she accepted a position teaching fourth grade where she remained until her retirement in 2014. Amongst many traits and memories, past students will remember her for instilling teaching traditions which remained with her no matter the age level being taught, exposing various cultures including Chinese New Year and annual leprechaun traps.
For hobbies, Susan always relished history, especially Ohio, and enjoyed visiting historical sites anywhere she could. She absolutely loved animals and was an incredible ceramic painter- especially nativity scenes. A member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, she loved being an active part of the church and school family and volunteering as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion when she was able.
Family was so very special to Susan, loving her grandchildren and grand fur-babies deeply. It was important to her to be together. A strong, determined, and resilient woman, Susan raised her three children on her own all while going back to college for her teaching degree. No matter what she was going through, both good and more difficult, her faith in God never wavered. She is survived by her children: Chris Ferguson and Nicole (Ricky) Chamber both of Shelby; son-in-law: Keith Dues of Miamisburg; grandchildren: Nicolle Ferguson, Christopher Ray Ferguson, Jr., Hayley (Tanner) Ayers, and Sabrina Dues; great grandchildren: Massimo and Dante Trevisan; great granddaughter on the way: Aurora Robin Ayers; brothers: Jim (Ruth) Fetzer and Bob (Sam) Fetzer both of Shelby; and numerous other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved daughter: Robin Dues; brother: Bill Fetzer; and sister: Janet Lashells.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 5-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a scripture service will be held at the conclusion of visitation at 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 11 am at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby. Fr. Chris Mileski will celebrate the Mass with burial following in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for the benefit of an education account for her future great granddaughter, Aurora (GoFund.me/cc5d4506).
Condolences may be left on Susan’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
Funeral Home: Penwell Funeral Home
Website: www.PenwellFuneralHome.com