Jean Ferguson Hadley

Hadley, Jean Ferguson ROTTERDAM Jean Ferguson Hadley, 98, died on July 26, 2011 in her home in Rotterdam. Born in Schenectady, N.Y., on July 21, 1913, she was the eldest of six children. She attended Brown School in Schenectady and graduated from St. Timothy's School near Baltimore. She studied at Finch College in New York City and took classes in writing at Columbia University. Mrs. Hadley had a passion for the outdoors and camping. For several years she was a camp inspector with the American Camping Association. She spent much of her life with the Girl Scouts, as a leader, trainer, member of the camping committee, and as first president of the Mohawk Pathways Girl Scout Council. She helped with the establishment of Hidden Lake Camp near Lake George, N.Y. At one time she was leader of five Girl Scout troops, from Brownies through Mariner Scouts. She hosted training sites for two of the Girl Scout Roundup patrols from Schenectady, in 1956 and 1959. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church for 55 years, serving as Sunday school teacher and director and as altar guild directress. She was an early member of the Schenectady Wintersports Club as well as the Junior League of Schenectady. She worked as a literacy volunteer and served as a driver for FISH, the forerunner of the transportation program taken over by the American Red Cross in Schenectady. She was a member of PTAs and auxiliaries innumerable. Mrs. Hadley and her husband were some of the first patrons of the Tool Shed in Schenectady. Together they served as hosts for foreign students and foster children. She enjoyed reading, sailing, horseback riding, skiing, rock collecting, gardening, camping, singing, and writing and reciting poetry. She loved the sea, the woods, and Christmas Eve. She was predeceased by her husband Norman Lucien Hadley in 1980 and outlived all of her siblings except for her brother Dr. Henry Ferguson of Loudonville, N.Y. She is survived also by her sons Hugh W. Hadley of Skaneateles, N.Y., and Andrew L. Hadley of Elbridge, N.Y.; her daughters Jeffrey H. Dohrenwend of Pelkie, Mich., Ellen Richey Woodzell of Schenectady, N.Y., and Anne F. Brouillier of Gales Ferry, Conn., as well as 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, nine nieces and nephews and six godchildren. There will be a memorial service at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1935 The Plaza, Schenectady, on Saturday, August 13 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Campership Fund of the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, 8 Mountain View Ave., Albany, NY 12205, or to Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308.