Vivian Berthe Firato Ferguson

Vivian Berthe Firato Ferguson, 92, passed away Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas F. Ferguson, who was her high school sweetheart.

Vivian was born at her Aunt Emma and Uncle Joe Pero's home on Oakland Street in Manchester May 4, 1925, to her parents, the late Harry and Berthe Chaput Firato.

Ferguson graduated from Manchester High School in 1942 and went on to attend Hillyer College in Hartford. Before her marriage to Tom, Vivian was the executive secretary to the president of Cheney Brothers Silk Manufacturers. She led an extremely active life and was involved in numerous civic and social groups, including the Girl Scouts, the Auxiliary of Manchester Memorial Hospital and served as chairman of the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shops. She was a founding member of the Manchester Historical Society, Chairman of the Cheney Brothers National Historic District Commission and currently served as the appointed town historian for the town of Manchester. Vivian was the food editor for the Manchester Evening Herald, and wrote the weekly column, "From Your Neighbor's Kitchen," and subsequently compiled four cookbooks from the articles that she wrote. She was also the host of her own radio show called "Vivian Ferguson's Kitchen" on WINF radio in Manchester. She served as an elected official on the Manchester Board of Directors for many years, was a member of the Manchester Republican Town Committee for 50 years, and was also the longest serving Justice of the Peace in Manchester. Vivian was a licensed realtor and worked for 25 years at ERA Blanchard and Rossetto.

Vivian leaves a son and two daughters, Thomas H. Ferguson and his partner, Starr R. McLean, of Manchester, Leigh B. Ferguson of Manchester, and Laurie F. Waterman of Bethel. She also leaves five grandchildren, Thomas S. Ferguson of Astoria, New York, Marissa L. Ferguson of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Elisabeth E. Ferguson of Mansfield, Brett M. Waterman and Alyssa L. Waterman of Bethel. She also leaves her sister, Phyliss Firato Buddemeyer of Timonium, Maryland; and her sister-in-law, Mildred S. Ferguson of Manchester; as well as several nieces and nephews. Vivian also leaves her extremely close friend, Leslie Frey, who she loved like a third daughter. She was predeceased by her sister, son-in-law, and three brothers in law, Doris Firato DeBenedetto, Jay P. Waterman, Armando DeBenedetto, Philip Buddemeyer, and Walter R. Ferguson.

The Ferguson family would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff on 1 West at Woodlake at Tolland for their care, patience, and kindness during her extended stay there. Tom especially appreciated the sincere assistance and guidance that he was provided over the years.

Visiting hours will be Friday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester.

A service of remembrance is Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the East Cemetery in Manchester.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas F. and Vivian F. Ferguson Scholarship Fund at the Manchester Scholarship Foundation, 20 Hartford Road, Manchester.

To leave a message for her family, visit

www.holmeswatkins.com

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