Sister Lorraine Ferguson, OP (formerly Sister Ann Gregory), a Dominican Sister of Hope, died on November 12, 2018 at the Wartburg, in Mount Vernon, New York. She was 92 years of age.
The daughter of the late William Joseph and Ann Kaspern Ferguson, she was born April 13, 1926 in Yonkers, New York.
Sister Lorraine entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, New York on September 7, 1947, made her First Profession June 25, 1949, and Final Profession August 22, 1952. Sister Lorraine earned her BS in Education from Seton Hall University in 1961, her MA in Art at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana 1966, and her MA in Expressive Therapy at Lesley College, Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1985.
Sister Lorraine had a long and rich career as a teacher, principal, art therapist and gifted artist. She began her ministerial life by teaching at the Dominican Day School in Larchmont NY. Over the her long years of service she taught at Sacred Heart School, Newburgh NY, Our Lady of Fatima School, Scarsdale, NY, SS. John and Paul, Larchmont, New York, St. Ursula Elementary School, Mt Vernon NY, St. Peter School, Rosendale, NY, Bishop Dunn Memorial School, Newburgh, NY, St. Thomas School, Cornwall, NY, St Rose School, Haddon Heights, New Jersey and Holy Trinity, Passaic, New Jersey. Sister Lorraine served as Principal of St Ursula Elementary School, Mount Vernon, New York and SS John & Paul School in Larchmont NY. In 1975, she transitioned to the High School level and taught art at Pope Pius XII Regional High School, Passaic, NJ and Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Poughkeepsie, NY. Sister Lorraine then began a new ministry using her art talents by becoming an Expressive Therapist at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua NH and at St. Luke Institute in Suitland MD. From 1992-95, Sister served in Congregational Administration. Following a sabbatical, she once again took up art and served as an art therapist at Sarabrae Women’s Center in New Windsor, NY and at Mariandale Retreat & Conference Center in Ossining, NY (1996-2004), where she was also an addictions counselor. Sister facilitated Artist’ Retreats and art exhibitions featuring her own work as well as the works of other artists from 2003-2011. In 2005, Sister Lorraine became coordinator of the Mariandale Chapel Art Gallery and was a workshop facilitator and retreat art therapist. Sister retired in 2010.
Sister Lorraine’s greatest joy was teaching art, creating her own art, facilitating retreats, and ministering to others. Her European travels broadened her appreciation for other cultures which she was able to share with others. She had a deep gratitude for her Dominican Family who supported her over her 70 years. “To love wisdom is to listen to God’s heart beat.”
Sister Lorraine is predeceased by her parents as well as her two brothers Joseph and William. She is survived by her sister-in-law Pat Ferguson, her nephews Robert, John and Gregory Ferguson, her nieces Patricia Howell and Irene Peacock as well as by several grandnieces and nephews.
All funeral services and internment will all take place on the grounds of Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, New York. The wake service and Mass will be held in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary in Dominican Center. On Monday, November 19, 2018 viewing will begin at 9:15am. The Prayer Service will begin at 10:15am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Internment follows immediately in the Cemetery of the Dominican Sisters of Hope.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home, Gidney Ave, Newburgh, New York. Donations in memory of Sister Lorraine can be made to the Development Office of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 North Highland Avenue, Ossining, New York 10562.
Sister Lorraine’s successful art series can be purchased or accessed online at: www.ophope.org/art-series