Florence M. Ferris

Florence M. Ferris, 96, of Marysville, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

She was born October 3, 1915 in Mankato, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Naiff and Fadwa Abdo. She married George T. Ferris on August 17, 1940 in St. Christopher Catholic Church in Marysville. They were married 57 years at the time of George’s death on April 19, 1998.

Florence was a member of St. Christopher’s since 1940. She belonged to the Rosary/Altar Society, the League of Catholic Women and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Council #9526.

For thirty plus years she, along with her husband, owned and operated the Ferris Sundries on the corner of Michigan and Gratiot in Marysville, where Walsh’s now sits. They also owned the Ferris Chalet, which is now Super 8 Motel on Gratiot in Marysville.

She and her husband loved Marysville and wanted to do something to help the High School graduates. In November of 1994, they gifted a portion of their Southeastern Michigan Gas Company Stock to Marysville High School for scholarships that were given to two seniors every year until the gas company was sold. It was called the “George and Florence Ferris Scholarship Fund.”

Florence loved life and raised her children to love life. She was a woman of deep faith in her Creator and always turned to Him in times of need. She faithfully prayed for her children, grandchildren and all her family and friends. She showed her faith by her actions, as well. She had the heart of a giant, and was always there when you needed her. She was full of enthusiasm in everything she did. She loved working in her yard, pulling weeds. Her house was always warm and welcome to whoever came to her door. What a wonderful example she was for her children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors and relatives. She was so full of the Love of Christ!

She had so many friends that when her birthday came around, it was like Christmas at the house. A favorite pastime of hers was playing Bingo and cards whenever she had the chance. She belonged to a bowling league for many years. Florence loved to go on day trips with the Senior Citizens, through the Council on Aging in Port Huron. She attributed her long life to her deep faith, and clean living.

She leaves behind a family who will miss her greatly, but will know she’s in Heaven praying for them continually: her four children, Barbara (Daniel) Champion of Ann Arbor, Gloria (Mark) Hudson of Shelby Township, Anita Nammo of Marysville and John (Gayle) Ferris of Bad Axe; ten grandchildren, Gina (Steve) Cain, Mia Champion, Maria (Rob) Mazzone, Monica Hudson, Marc Hudson, David (Laura) Nammo, Joseph Nammo, Julienne Ferris, Geoffrey (Jennifer) Ferris and Jillian Ferris; 17 great grandchildren; three great great granddaughters; her brother, Joseph (Meredith) Abdo of Mankato, Minnesota; three sisters-in-law, Helen and Dolly Ferris of Marysville and Genevieve Saba of Mankato, Minnesota; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; two brothers, Fred and Ed Saba; and her son-in-law, Sam Nammo.

Visitation will be 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Sunday in the Marysville Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.

Mrs. Ferris will lie in state from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 17, 2011 in St. Christopher Catholic Church. The Reverend Arthur Baranowski will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will follow in Riverlawn Cemetery, Marysville. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, David Nammo, Geoffrey Ferris, Marc Hudson II, Nicholas Hudson, Jacob Hudson, and Mitchell Diettrick. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Nammo and Marc Hudson.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Christopher Catholic Church, Right to Life of Michigan or The Salvation Army.