Dianne Ferguson

Dianne W Ferguson (nee Ross)

(October 17, 1934 – August 3, 2022)

The music community lost a wonderful ambassador in the passing of Dianne Ferguson on Wednesday August 3. Dianne brought music and, with it, joy to many communities in Canada and abroad during her 60+ years of service as a director of music, organist, choir director and accompanist.

Dianne grew up in the Garneau community in Edmonton, attended Strathcona High School and graduated from the University of Alberta in 1956 with a B. Sc. Nursing. 1956 was also the year that Dianne married Murray Ferguson and with whom she spent the rest of her life, passing away just weeks short of their 66th anniversary.

Dianne graduated as a nurse, but music was her passion. Dianne was reading music before she was reading books. She was an accomplished pianist (ARCT) and organist (ARCT) and a much-loved director of adult choirs, children’s choirs, and handbell choirs.

Dianne’s career as a church musician began in Edmonton (Robertson United Church, Wesley UC) continued in Ottawa (St. James UC, Bell Street UC, Westboro UC), returned to Edmonton (Knox-Metropolitan UC) and concluded in Ottawa (Rideau Park UC). In addition to acting as the Director of Music at the various churches, Dianne was a much sought after accompanist and over the years played with the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, Ottawa Choral Society, Army Voices, the Ottawa Central Choir and numerous soloists. Dianne joined some of these choirs on international tours to various countries including Italy and Japan.  Dianne was an active member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Ottawa and Edmonton Centres, and received the RCCO Distinguished Service Award in 2007.

Dianne was a much loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her “happy place” was either at a keyboard or at the cottage on Pigeon Lake, Alberta. Dianne and Murray built an A-frame cottage in 1960 and that would be the preferred destination in the summer months. Dianne enjoyed swimming in the lake, canoeing, walking or just visiting with friends on the front deck watching the activity on the water.

Dianne will be fondly remembered and always loved by husband Murray, sons Clark (Linda), Bob (Sandra) and Ross, grandchildren Élise (Bram Blenk), Simon, Julien, Madeleine (Ryan MacLaughlan), Alison, and Kelsey (Ross Carrothers), and great grandchildren Abra, Arthur and Jasper, and countless cousins, nieces and nephews in the Ross and Ferguson families.

She was pre-deceased by her brothers Don (Lillian), David (Molly), Doug (Helen), Bert (Susan), parents Emma and Joseph Whitehead Ross.

There will be a celebration of Dianne’s life at Rideau Park United Church, 2203 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, ON on October 1, 2022 at 1 p.m. In lieu of sending flowers, the family knows Dianne would be delighted if you were to attend a choral concert or make a donation to your local community choir or the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Tributes, condolences and donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com