1929
Gloria
2019
Gloria M. Ferguson
May 26, 1929 — March 11, 2019
Gloria M. Houck was born May 26, 1929 in Portland, OR to Captain Arland M. Houck, USN Ret., and Marimae Smith Houck. She joined an older sister, Marland. The family later moved to Seattle. Gloria attended Magnolia Grade School and Queen Anne High School. In the Fall of 1947 she moved to Corvallis, OR to attend Oregon State, where she joined Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. While on Summer break she met Bill B Ferguson and they married August 19, 1950. Their son Guy was born Oct. 5, 1951 while Bill served in Korea. James was born Dec. 3, 1952.
Gloria worked at Oregon Music Company as Bookkeeper in the late 1950s while Bill attended medical school. She ran the household in S.E. Portland with grace and humor. On March 28, 1961 Patrick was born.
The family moved to Hillsboro, OR in 1964. Bill formed his medical practice with Fred Nachtigal and Gloria wrangled three sons, was active in local schools, managed the house and 1.25 acres and organized the many family activities. Gloria received the Emma McKinney Achievement Award in 1970. She also became involved in the Women’s Auxiliary for the American Medical Association Auxiliary. She was O.M.A. Aux. President for two terms, 1971-72 and 1972-73. She served on the Board of Directors for the A.M.A. Auxiliary from 1974-77. Gloria was appointed 1974-75 Health Education Committee Chair and served as Elected Director from 1975-77. After the frenzy of national service was over she passed the real estate exam and went to work for Shel Scarrat. Gloria retired from real estate in 1993.
Her leisure activities were many and varied – The Oregon Symphony, tennis at West Hills Racquet Club, skiing on Mt. Hood and many other places. She loved family time at the small cottage at Arch Cape.
After retirement in 1993 she and Bill traveled around the U.S., seeing the sights and reconnecting with old friends. She was especially fond of an annual trip to Mexico to meet her close friends from high school. For many years they wintered at their home in Arizona City and spent summers in Hillsboro and the Oregon coast.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents Arland and Marimae, sister Marland and two sons James and Patrick. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bill, son Guy (Becky), granddaughters Emma and Sophie and eight nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gloria’s name to The Nature Conservancy. At Gloria’s request there will be no services.
Gloria worked at Oregon Music Company as Bookkeeper in the late 1950s while Bill attended medical school. She ran the household in S.E. Portland with grace and humor. On March 28, 1961 Patrick was born.
The family moved to Hillsboro, OR in 1964. Bill formed his medical practice with Fred Nachtigal and Gloria wrangled three sons, was active in local schools, managed the house and 1.25 acres and organized the many family activities. Gloria received the Emma McKinney Achievement Award in 1970. She also became involved in the Women’s Auxiliary for the American Medical Association Auxiliary. She was O.M.A. Aux. President for two terms, 1971-72 and 1972-73. She served on the Board of Directors for the A.M.A. Auxiliary from 1974-77. Gloria was appointed 1974-75 Health Education Committee Chair and served as Elected Director from 1975-77. After the frenzy of national service was over she passed the real estate exam and went to work for Shel Scarrat. Gloria retired from real estate in 1993.
Her leisure activities were many and varied – The Oregon Symphony, tennis at West Hills Racquet Club, skiing on Mt. Hood and many other places. She loved family time at the small cottage at Arch Cape.
After retirement in 1993 she and Bill traveled around the U.S., seeing the sights and reconnecting with old friends. She was especially fond of an annual trip to Mexico to meet her close friends from high school. For many years they wintered at their home in Arizona City and spent summers in Hillsboro and the Oregon coast.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents Arland and Marimae, sister Marland and two sons James and Patrick. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bill, son Guy (Becky), granddaughters Emma and Sophie and eight nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gloria’s name to The Nature Conservancy. At Gloria’s request there will be no services.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gloria M. Ferguson, please visit our flower store.
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