UUC member Mary Jane Ferguson died October 6, 2025, at the age of 79. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1946, Mary Jane lived a rich and engaged life, with careers in journalism and law, and as the mother of Thomas and Rachael Coyle and grandmother of Wynn, Mia, and Fergus Coyle. She graduated from Cornell University and later earned degrees in journalism from UW—the Badgers, not Huskies—and law from University of Puget Sound. She was also a lifelong student of life, with a keen interest in travel, language, art, and countless other passions. Mary Jane was an avid reader and writer, particularly of mysteries, and worked on personal writing projects throughout her life. She greatly enjoyed writing groups and was generous in offering thoughtful feedback to others. Mary Jane made her home in the Seattle area for five decades and joined UUC in 1992. At UUC, she participated in many ways, including a single parents group, teaching Religious Education classes, and leaving a generous legacy gift.

Rev. Victoria Poling will officiate a memorial service at UUC on January 17, at 2 p.m.