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Mavis O'Brien Ferguson, a resident of Severna Park since 1996, died March 31 at her daughter's home in Severna Park. She was 104.

Mrs. Ferguson was born July 4, 1900, in Florence, Kan., the daughter of the late Ed and Lillian O'Brien. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1922 with a bachelor's degree in English literature.

On Oct. 22, 1922, she was married in her sorority house in Lawrence, Kan., to Raymond Wheeler Ferguson of Topeka, Kan., who was an accounting graduate of the university. They lived in Topeka and Dodge City, Kan., where Mr. Ferguson had started his lifetime employment with International Harvester Co.

In 1929 they were transferred to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for six years and then to Brussels, Belgium, from 1936 to 1940. After driving through France, Mrs. Ferguson returned to the United States with her daughter in July 1940 aboard a U.S. Lines vessel. Mr. Ferguson remained in Paris working for International Harvester under German occupation, returning stateside in January 1941. He worked for the company at its Chicago headquarters until retiring in 1962 as comptroller of foreign operations.

During World War II, Mrs. Ferguson worked for the Red Cross, helping people communicate with their relatives behind enemy lines and in Eastern Europe.

In 1962 the couple retired to Florida. Mrs. Ferguson lived in Boynton Beach and Boca Raton, Fla., after her husband died, until the age of 97 when she moved to live with her daughter, Shirley Masiee, in Severna Park.

Also surviving are two granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a grandson, Douglas Masiee, and a brother, Shamus O'Brien.

Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, where services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Boyton Beach Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Building Fund, 1031 Old Epping Forest Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

As Published in "The Capital Newspaper" Annapolis Md. 04/02/2005