Patricia Ferguson Wells

April 24, 1931 ~ June 18,2021

 Resident of Walnut Creek, & Lafayette California

After a long and interesting life, Patricia “Pat” Ferguson Wells passed away on June 18,2021 Pat was born at Davis Island Hospital, Tampa Florida to Estelle, and J. H. Ferguson, during the “Great Depression” which meant fewer jobs, lower pay, few playmates (she was to be an only child), few toys and no pets. Pat wanted siblings and had loved animals since she was born.

Against her “4-year-old will” she was taken by her parents from her adored, Florida, to the Long Island area of New York, where she attended 13 years of school (1 year at Hofstra University). On her first day at Hofstra, Pat met her husband-to-be, “Stan Wells”, fellow freshman. They were married April 1, 1951. Six months later, Stan was drafted and sent to Korea, combat. Pat left school and took an office job in NY City. She vowed to get her degree as soon as she could. When Stan returned from combat military service, they lived with his parents in their large house in Wantagh, Long Island.

Pat was pleased that her 1st child was a boy. Equally pleased that her second child was as girl, in their new house in Babylon NY. Shortly afterwards her husband was hired as a Territory Salesman in Ohio. Pat purchased a show dog when they settled outside of Columbus, Ohio. She became friends with other dog people and raised pedigree Silver Poodles to show, won trophies and ran Welshire Kennel. Happily, transferred to chilly Illinois in 1961, she was pleasantly surprised with their third child, a boy. When her youngest son finally started school, Pat went back to college full-time. Her husband received a promotion to NJ. She transferred her college credits to William Paterson U., New Jersey. Where she graduated with honors in 1972. In 1976 the Family had the opportunity to buy a business in N. California and they moved to San Leandro, then to Lafayette in 1985.

Pat finally accomplished, over a lifetime, what she had dreamed of as a “Depression Child”: A Loving family, beloved children, a college degree w/honors, friends with common interests, husband who supported her wishes and puppies, lots of puppies! She raised, bred them, showed them in Obedience and Conformation. Also, expansion of her “small talents” as she called them – awards & sales of paintings in many forms and art education by excellent CA artists also, dreams she did not know she had.

Pat is survived by her husband of 70 years of Walnut Creek, CA, 2 sons, Jamie of San Mateo CA & Douglas of S.F., one, daughter Diane of Martinez and one grandson, Steven. She also leaves friends, cousins, nieces and nephews throughout the country and the world, and her beloved rescue dog Chico.

Pat was kind, thoughtful, generous, loving, artistic, abhorred cruelty and baked a particularly good Christmas cookie, which she distributed to her neighbors! especially to those with dogs!

Her old southern grandmother told her, among other things, “Just do the best you can” and she did!

Memorials in Pat’s name would be greatly appreciated and can be made to:

Peta: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

ARF: Animal Rescue Foundation

ASPCA: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Alley Cat Allies: 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-2525

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