Madeleine Bryand Lefebvre Ferguson passed away in Waynesboro, Virginia, on January 25, 2012.

She was 96 and had lived with her son Eugene on Nova Drive in Waynesboro since 2004. She lived in Virginia Beach between 1978 and 2004, and raised her family in Alexandria between 1946 and 1978.

She was preceded in death by her husband Hollis in 1976, and her sister Suzanne and brother Samuel.

Her children include sons Eugene, Frank of Virginia Beach, Jimmy of Liverpool, New York; one daughter, Jacqueline; son-in-law James; and grandchildren Katie and Nick, also of Liverpool. She is also survived by her sisters Lucille of Quebec and Denyse of British Columbia.

Mrs. Ferguson was born in Montreal, Quebec on October 13, 1915 to Eugene Lefebvre and Violette Delagneau who was born in Lyon, France. The family was of Huguenot descent and spoke French at home.

Before her marriage in Washington in 1945, Mrs. Ferguson’s early life in Montreal was filled with music and church as a trained singer and pianist. Among other distinctions, she performed the role of Casilda in the operetta The Gondoliers.

She came to Washington during the Second World War for service to the British Foreign Office in the Embassy. After her marriage she devoted her life to her children and was an expert at sewing, cooking, and gardening. Besides supporting her children’s lives and careers with love and advice, one of her great interests was the family’s summer home near St.-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec, where she had spent most summers since 1916.

A private memorial service and interment will be planned in the Spring.

McDow Funeral Home is assisting the family. Those wishing to share their memories with the family online may do so at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com