Ann Ferguson Brown

Ann Ferguson Brown, 71, of Highwood, on May 23 at Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center, of Pancreatic Cancer which she had courageously fought for three years. Dearly beloved wife of Larry Brown. Preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Florence Ferguson and sister, Mary. Surviving are her loving three sons, Mike (Kitty), Ken (Amy) and Russ (Laura); and the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Steve, Greg and Ellen, Ryan, Meredith and Matthew and Shannon. Ann was an avid and proficient curler and golfer and played a leadership role in both sports. In curling, she was one of twenty women selected to represent the United States on a tour to Scotland in 1986, was President of the United States Women's Curling Association in 1986-1987, was President of the United States Curling Association in 1991-1992, the first woman to hold this position, was elected to the Curling Hall of Fame in 1993, was a US Representative to the World Curling Federation for six years, and served as a Senior Curling Official at the Salt Lake City Olympics. On the ice, she won the USWCA National Bonspiel seven times, from 1976 to 2000 and with her husband, won the Illinois State Mixed Championship twice. In golf, she was an extremely active board member of the Women's Western Golf Association, serving in many executive positions including President in 1983-1984. On the course, Ann was twice the Women's Champion of Exmoor Country Club and actively competed in team play. In both sports, she tirelessly devoted her energy to encouraging children and young adults to become involved in these lifelong sports at an early age. She was also very involved in many other activities including Pi Beta Phi alumni groups, Highland Park Garden Guild, Highland Park Presbyterian Church and Highland Park High School reunions. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, June 18 at 2 p.m. at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 330 Laurel Avenue, Highland Park with the family receiving friends one hour earlier in the church parlor. Immediately following the service there will be reception at Exmoor Country Club, 700 Vine Avenue, Highland Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PanCan, 2141 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245 or to United States Curling Association, Legacy Fund, 1100 CenterPoint Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481 or to the Women's Western Golf Foundation, Barbara B. Gallas, Chairman, 146 Robsart Place, Kenilworth, IL 60043.