Ferguson, Elizabeth Louise Burkett 

92 05/29/1917 05/28/2010 Betty Ferguson passed away 
peacefully Friday, May 28, 2010, at her residence, Oswego Place, 
on Pilkington Road in Lake Oswego. She was born in 
Pennsylvania. Betty met the love of her life, James H. Ferguson, 
the summer of her senior year in high school. Their fate was 
sealed when he jumped off a moving train to talk to her as she 
stood under the apple trees to wave goodbye to him. They 
married in 1937 and celebrated over 50 years of marriage until 
his death in l988. Betty made contributions to her community by 
participating in organizations that helped others. She was 
corresponding secretary of the Portland PTA Council, president 
of the Chapman Elementary School PTA, West Side 
Neighborhood chair for United Good Neighbors, and served on 
the Friendly House board of directors. Betty also served on the 
King City Travel Club and volunteered for the March of Dimes, 
the Cancer Society, the Red Cross, and the Girl Scouts. As a 
member of the Century Club, she was twice elected president. 
Betty was honored with their Outstanding Achievement Award in 
1992-93. As a resident of Pacific Pointe, she was a member of 
Bill Whitney's senior acting group. Betty enjoyed her role as a 
member of a reader's theatre group. Betty is survived by her 
daughter, Sally Skelding of Portland; son, James H. Ferguson of 
Salem; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and nine 
great-great-grandchildren. A memorial was held at Oswego 
Place June 11, 2010. Remembrances may be directed to Planned 
Parenthood or the Oregon Cancer Society.

Published in The Oregonian on September 12, 2010