Mercella Ferguson's Obituary
Mercella Ferguson
Ladies and gentlemen,
We gather here today to not mourn a passing but more importantly, to celebrate an extraordinary life, the life of Mercella Ferguson née Stewart, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Mercella, known lovingly as Miss Mercy or ”grandma” graced this world for 94 incredible years, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in our hearts. What's truly remarkable is the distinction of the life she lived during her glorious years here on earth. Her journey was one of strength, kindness, and, yes, a heaping serving of feistiness. From being our family matriarch to the community glue, her legacy is as vibrant as the memories she leaves with us. She was truly the embodiment of a kind heart.
Born on September 24, 1930, in Oriente, Cuba, Miss Mercy was the third daughter in a family of nine. Given the pet name “Yo-yo” by her father when coming from Cuba, she grew up amidst six sisters and two brothers and developed a spirited resilience that would define her life. This feistiness would serve her well during her moves from Jamaica to London, England, where she would marry her husband, move to the United States and forge a partnership that lasted over 50 years, creating a beautiful family filled with love and laughter.
As a hardworking woman, Miss Mercy was a remarkable homemaker and an excellent cook. She took on many jobs throughout her life, all with one purpose: to ensure her family could pursue their dreams without the burden of hardship. Miss Mercy was a devoted mother to her four children—two sons, Joel and Mark and two daughters, Carol and Angela —who were her pride and joy. She believed in the power of education and worked tirelessly to make it accessible to her loved ones. Education was her greatest passion, and she dedicated herself to promoting learning for children and young adults. She encouraged all — young and old, strangers and friends alike – to pursue education wholeheartedly. Her proudest accomplishments were her children and grandchildren and instilling in them the values of love, education, and resilience.
Miss Mercy was not just a mother and grandmother; she was an electric presence. Her words were deliberate and well-calculated with sprinkles of old-time Jamaican sayings. She was stubborn and unbreakable, and fiercely protective of those she loved. Anyone lucky enough to know her was touched by her kindness and tenacity. Her beauty, both inside and out, radiated through her relationships, especially when she encountered people who thrived to want better for themselves.
Her strength was truly tested when she faced the heartbreaking loss of her eldest daughter, Carol, in 2000. In the face of such unimaginable grief, Miss Mercy stepped in with unwavering love to raise her daughter’s four young children, proving that a grandmother's heart knows no bounds. Her resilience in these times showed us all what it means to love fiercely, even in the most challenging moments.
Miss Mercy was a passionate collector of Italian figurines and gold jewelry. She had a deep love of cooking, one of her favorite foods was red snapper, which she prepared with love and immense flavor. She loved country music, especially artists like Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers, which would occasionally fill her home with warmth and nostalgia. Fun fact: she enjoyed the classic hit by Doris Day, would sing parts of the song as a bedtime lullaby and frequently quoted , “What will be will be.” She found delight in watching wrestling, one of her favorite TV shows. Mercy cherished and reminisced times living in her favorite place, London, England. Traveling was one of Miss Mercy’s greatest joys. She embraced the world with open arms, she spoke of her travels to France and Italy while in London, also embarked on cruise ship adventures to the Caribbean with her family to create cherished memories, to bond, and to celebrate life together.
In 2010, Miss Mercy was diagnosed with dementia, a challenge that would test her strength once again. Yet, through it all, she persevered. She faced obstacles that would have overwhelmed many, but Miss Mercy remained resilient, enduring even the toughest trials, including the global pandemic, handling her challenge like a champ. Despite her toil with dementia, she still embraced new faces of new people/chosen family into her life, reminding us of her remarkable capacity for love. Throughout her journey with dementia and up to her last breath, she was surrounded by the love of her family and people who cherished her.
Miss Mercy’s presence was a gift to all who knew her. Though she may no longer walk among us, Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family: her remaining three sisters Barbara Brown, Pearl Cameron and Enid Zebrowski, her three children, eleven grandchildren (predeceased by one), three great grandchildren, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews and everyone who was fortunate enough to know her.
As we say farewell, let us celebrate her fierce love and the incredible woman she was. Miss Mercy’s legacy will continue to impact the lives of those she touched, her dedication to family, combined with her independence and strength, which has made her an inspiration to us all.
We will carry her memory with us forever. Rest in eternal peace, Miss Mercy, “Yo-yo.” You are loved and you will be deeply missed.
What’s your fondest memory of Mercella?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mercella?
Share a story where Mercella's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mercella you’ll never forget.
How did Mercella make you smile?
