Marion Dorothea Ferris

1922 - 2018

Marion Dorothea Ferris

Williston - Marion Dorothea Ferris of Williston, beloved mother and grandmother, died Tuesday in the Vermont Respite House after a short illness. She was 95.

Mrs. Ferris was born Aug. 17, 1922, in Newark N.J. the daughter of William Meesel and Theresa Bechtle Meesel. She attended Douglass College and graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. On Sept. 7, 1946, she wed Robert Warren Ferris, to whom she was married for 53 years before his passing in 2000.

For nearly 20 years, Mrs. Ferris taught home economics in public and private schools in New York and New Jersey, and attained the rank of associate professor at Centenary College for Women in Hackettstown, N.J., where her husband served as vice president for many years. In 1977, the Ferrises moved to Apalachin, N.Y., when Mr. Ferris became a senior administrator at the University of Binghamton. Upon his retirement, the couple were active community and church volunteers and were recognized for their service by the local Meals on Wheels program. They also traveled extensively throughout the country, visiting all 50 states.In 1998, the Ferrises moved to Williston, to be near their son, John, daughter-in-law, Dr. Jan Ferris, and their grandsons, William, Benjamin, and Noah. They survive her, along with daughter Nancy Ferris Engle and son-in-law Scott Engle, of Pocatello, Idaho, grandchildren Matthew of Pocatello and David and David's wife, Lacey Young Engle, of Portland, Ore.

Mrs. Ferris was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, where she volunteered at the church's thrift shop and food pantry for many years. She was also a frequent bridge player at the church and the Essex Senior Center.

Calling hours are from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at the Ready Funeral Home Mountain View Chapel 68 Pinecrest Drive, Essex Junction. A Memorial Service will be at the Funeral Home Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Mark Mendes presiding. Interment will be at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center at a later date.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Adriane Trout, the nursing staff and therapists at Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester, the nurses at Vermont Respite House and the doctors and nurses as the University of Vermont Medical Center for their compassionate, professional care and many kindnesses over the past months.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mrs. Ferris' memory to the Heavenly Food Pantry of the First Congregational Church or the Vermont Respite House in Colchester. Please visit www.readyfuneral.com to place on-line condolences.