Obituary of DeLona Ferguson

PENFIELD - November 17, 2022 on her 84th birthday. Dee is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Mike (Robert); children, Ann (Richard) Anderson, Mary Joyce Ferguson, Lori (Paul) Coles and Julie (Stephen) Bianchi; grandchildren, Eric and Hilary Anderson, Joseph Aronson, Michael Coles, Will and Anthony Bianchi; sisters, Mary DeLawyer and Marguerite Dixon, and loving nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 21 from 4-7 pm at Jennings, Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home, 1704 Penfield Road, Penfield. Dee’s Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, November 22 , 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 43 Gebhardt Road, Penfield. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, our family requests that you consider a gift to the Palliative Care Program Fund (A03023) at the University of Rochester Medical Center in memory of (Mrs. Ferguson/DeLona). Please send a note sharing this intention along with your gift to the University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 East River Road, Box 278996, Rochester, NY, 14627. Or you may choose to make a donation to UR Medicine Home Care, 2180 Empire Blvd., Webster, NY 14580.

DeLona “Dee” Sullivan was born in Albion, NY to Eugenia and William Sullivan. Dee was the youngest of four daughters: Ellen Jean, Mary, Marguerite. While growing up in Eagle Harbor, NY,  her older sisters doted on her. Sadly their father died of cancer when Dee was just 11 years old. She attended Eagle Harbor Elementary School and Albion High School. After graduating from high school, Dee moved to Rochester, NY to attend nursing school at the Genesee Hospital School of Nursing.

While in nursing school, Dee met her soon-to-be husband, Robert Michael “Mike” Ferguson. Mike and Dee went on to have four daughters of their own: Ann, Mary Joyce, Lori and Julie. Early on in her nursing career, Dee worked in obstetrics and loved helping to deliver babies. She also worked in the hospital on medical/surgical floors and inpatient psychiatric units. Once her youngest girls were in elementary school, Dee started work as a school nurse and spent the rest of her career at Scribner Road Elementary School.

DeLona’s Catholic faith was very important to her and she was an active member of St. Joseph’s Parish for over 60 years. Dee and Mike loved to travel, and were able to do so extensively once they retired. They frequently flew to California to visit Mike’s brother Albert and sister-in-law Joyce. They would also travel to Pennsylvania to spend time with Ann and her family. Dee loved cruising and together with Mike and other loved ones, she went on many. They went on several Caribbean cruises, traveled through the Panama Canal, and even made their way to Alaska (twice!). Upon discovering European river cruises, Mike and Dee were hooked and they went on many.

Mike and Dee were blessed with six grandchildren: Eric and Hilary Anderson, Joe Aronson, Michael Coles and William and Anthony (Noochie) Bianchi. They enjoyed going to every concert, football game, swim meet, soccer game, play and regatta to cheer their grandkids on. Dee loved the holidays and she wanted all of us at their house to celebrate. Throughout their lives, Mike and Dee always had a dog to share their love with. We had Rex and Brandy when we were growing up.  Later on they had Buddy and Frankie. Dee always let Mike get male dogs since he was seriously outnumbered with all of the females in his life until their 5 grandsons arrived. Once traveling became more difficult due to the pandemic and mobility issues, they enjoyed taking scenic drives all over New York State. In the last month of her life they took drives to Letchworth State Park, Sodus, Lake Ontario and around the Finger Lakes region to enjoy the most spectacular Fall weather and bright, colorful foliage. It really was the most spectacular Fall in recent memory. The first snow of the season arrived late this year.  Right on Dee’s final day on earth, and her 84th Birthday, November 17, 2022.