Louise Saberton Lykes FERGUSON

FERGUSON, Louise Saberton Lykes

died peacefully at her home on October 5, 2016. She was 104 years old. A lifelong Tampa resident, her keen mind, generous spirit, and zest for learning shone brightly until the very end. She was born May 28, 1912, to Clara Estelle Long and Howell Tyson Lykes Jr. in Tampa. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Chester Howell Ferguson, her brother, Howell Tyson Lykes III, and her sister, Jean Lykes Rankin Kendrick. She is survived by her daughter, Stella Ferguson Thayer and husband, A. Bronson Thayer; her son, Howell Lykes Ferguson and wife, Sharon Maxwell-Ferguson; granddaughters, Susannah Louise Thayer and Megan Ferguson Evers-Swindell and husband, Nico Evers-Swindell; grandsons, Derek Chester Ferguson and Eliot Lykes Ferguson; great-granddaughters, Beatrix Estelle Evers-Swindell and Kate Frances Ferguson; great-grandson, Owen Wiley Ferguson; step-grandchildren, Heather Savage Telfer and husband, Robert J. Telfer III, and Colin Maxwell Savage and wife, Aimee Burgert Savage; step-great grandchildren, Max and Lilly Telfer, and Acacia, Claudia, and James Savage; special nieces and nephew, Louise Rankin Barrow and husband, Alston McConnell Barrow, Jean Rankin Burn and husband, Harry Burn, and Tom L. Rankin and wife, Kay H. Rankin; and great-nephews and nieces, Alston Barrow, Bennett Barrow, Jeannie Pisano, Lindsay Grimes, Britton Horne, Duncan Burn, Catherine Robinson, and Thompson Rankin. She is also survived by numerous cousins of the Lykes family who were a source of pride and affection.

Louise Ferguson attended local schools: Miss White's English Classical School, Wilson Junior High School, and was a member of the first freshman class of Plant High School in 1927, which culminated with her being named valedictorian of the 1930 graduating class. After high school, she attended Pine Manor Junior College in Wellesley, MA, from which she graduated in 1932, once again as valedictorian. In the summer of 1932, she attended classes at the University of Paris (Sorbonne). She married Chester Ferguson, an attorney, on December 2, 1939 and shared a full and loving life until his death in 1983.

Louise was a former member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tampa and a founding member of the Chiselers. She was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the Tampa Yacht and Country Club, the Highlands (NC) Country Club, the Founders Garden Club Circle of the Tampa Garden Club, and the Junior League of Tampa where she received the Sustainer of the Year and Lifetime Commitment awards. Mrs. Ferguson was a lifelong supporter of the arts, especially the performing arts. In 1965, she was invited to chair a committee to explore the idea of a "music hall on the riverfront."

She served on the Tampa Arts Council for eight years, a number of years as chair, and was recognized for her continuous service to the arts when she received the Governor's Award for the Arts in 1976. The University of South Florida recognized her for her part in "linking the University and the Community in cultural progress" by awarding her the 1986 Dean's Award for Outstanding Service to the Arts. For decades, Louise tirelessly pursued the concept of a performing arts center. In 1980, she was appointed by Mayor Bob Martinez to a 15 member committee whose mission was "to design, build and operate a first-class performing arts center of landmark quality that will meet the existing and growing artistic, cultural and educational needs of the city of Tampa, Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay area well into the 21st century."

Louise and her husband Chester were among the leaders of the fund raising drive for the new center, then named the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, now known as the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. She served for decades as a member of the Board of Trustees, and her love for The Center was evident in her attendance at many Straz Center events and performances. The Louise Lykes Ferguson Hall at the Center is named in her honor. She was also a longtime Trustee of the Florida House. On May 28th, 2012 City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn joined family, friends, and the community in wishing Louise Lykes Ferguson a very Happy 100th Birthday by declaring "Louise Lykes Ferguson Day" in the City of Tampa, Florida. In 2013, she received the inaugural University of South Florida Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Community Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was a lifetime gardening enthusiast, who regularly included produce and herbs grown in her EarthBoxes into family meals, cultivated a rose garden, and had a 30 year dedication to ikebana, receiving a masters certification in this ancient Japanese fine art.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kathleen Grizzard, for her attentive and expert medical care, to nursing caretakers, Vanessa Strong, Wendy Sarduy, Arlene Roig, Maria Ortega-Ribera, Ruth Messare and recently deceased Martha Jaeger, for their tireless effort and dedication, to Margaree Moore, Gene Wesley Fowler, Jr., Paulette Andrews, and to Louise Griffiths, Sam and Beatrice Goins, and Helen Dixon, now deceased, for their years of service.

Mimi, as she was known to younger family and friends, will be remembered for her love and affection for family and friends, her thoughtfulness in correspondence and gifts, her wit and graciousness, her lively toasts and storytelling, and her self-discipline and fortitude. She was an independent, strong, caring, and fiercely determined woman who will continue to serve as an inspiration for all who knew her.

Memorial services will be held at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Chiselers Inc. of the University of Tampa, to St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Tampa, or to a charity of your own choosing.