Jane Stevenson Fergus, of Washington, died Saturday, April 26, 2025 at her home. Jane was born November 15, 1941 in Newton, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Allan Stevenson and Elizabeth Hutchinson Stevenson. She graduated from the Northfield School for Girls in 1959, Middlebury College (A.B., Mathematics) in 1963, and the University of Pittsburgh, (M. Ed.) in 1965. On June 14, 1963 Jane married Harold V. Fergus Jr. of Washington who predeceased her. Harold and Jane met at Middlebury.

Jane was predeceased by her parents and sister, Nancy Stevenson Summers. She is survived by her brother, Richard (Penny) Stevenson of Gig Harbor, Washington. Also surviving are sons, Allan Harold (Andrea) Fergus of Morgantown, West Virginia, Matthew Christopher Fergus of Pittsburgh, Stevenson Van Kirk Fergus of Toronto, Ontario and Nathan Edward (Melanie) Fergus of Gig Harbor, Washington; grandchildren, Sara (Alex) Barbolish of Richmond, VA, Abigail Fergus of New York City, Mackenzie Fergus, of Charlottesville, VA, and 2nd Lieutenant Andrew Fergus of the United States Army; as well as grandchildren, Kaley Fergus, Ryan Fergus, and Carter Fergus of Gig Harbor.

After graduating from Middlebury, Jane supported Harold through law school while teaching mathematics in the Pittsburgh public schools and earning her master’s degree in education — multitasking before it was trendy. They then moved to Washington, Pennsylvania, with a brief Army stint in El Paso, Texas at Fort Bliss along the way. Though Jane was, without question, far smarter than Harold, she was wise enough never to let him realize it — a true act of mercy and a masterclass in marriage.

Jane was ahead of her time in working in various professions through the years including teaching, accounting, and tax preparation, in addition to raising her children.

She was a longtime Director on the Board of Education of the Washington School District where she partnered with her late friend and colleague, Joan Griffin, on implementing many beneficial initiatives and enthusiastically rooting for the Prexies.

Jane was an avid supporter of women’s rights, racial equality, and social justice, and was active in the community in support of those important causes. She was active in the community and supported, participated in, directed or led many local charities and organizations including the Washington Hospital Board, League of Women Voters, YWCA, Brownson House, Community Food Pantry, NAACP, and Rotary Club. Jane was also an early and proud member of the Washington County Gay Straight Alliance – championing fairness and common sense wherever it was in short supply.

Jane loved to travel and made it her mission to collect passport stamps across Europe, Asia, Africa, and even Antarctica – just in case anyone doubted her commitment to adventure. Despite her travels, her New England roots ran deep, and summer vacations on Cape Cod were a sacred tradition of lobster rolls, sand, salt water, and “no, you may not bring that mess into the house.”

Christmas was Jane’s favorite time of year, a season she celebrated with enough decorations, baked goods, and perfectly wrapped presents to put professional elves to shame. Her and Harold’s annual Christmas Eve open house was a longtime fixture on their friends’ and family’s social calendars.

Jane was fiercely competitive, taking great pride in winning every card game, board game, or casual bet she entered – and she did not believe in letting anyone (even her grandchildren) win easily. In her honor, spend a day bossing your loved ones around with affection, correcting someone’s grammar, and telling a slightly inappropriate joke – because if you’re going to honor Jane, you’d better do it right.

Friends will be received on Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Owner/Supervisor, Holly Renay Warco, Director, S. Timothy Warco II, Director. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 2, 2025 in the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Washington Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.

Obituary posts