M. Irene Fergus, age 89, of New Castle, passed away the afternoon of Nov. 19, 2022, at Jameson Care Center.

Born March 2, 1933, in Slippery Rock, PA, she was the biological daughter of the late Hugh and Sarah Morrow Fergus. After her parents' death, she was adopted by Shirl and Carrolle Marie Miles, who also preceded her in death.

Irene was a graduate of Slippery Rock High School. She went on to attend Westminster College where she earned a two-year Certificate of Proficiency. Irene worked as the Executive Secretary at Shenango China from 1953 until the plant shut down in 1992. She then went on to become the secretary to the President Judge of Lawrence Count until her retirement. She was a 50-year Gold Star member of Grove City Chapter #86 Order of Eastern Star, A.A.R.P., past member of Lawrence County Historical Society, and Rho Gamma Honor Society of Westminster College. Irene was a member of Slippery Rock Highland Presbyterian Church for over 70 years and Associate member of the former Epworth United Methodist Church. She was a former member of Epworth UM Women, where she received a special mission recognition award in 2014. She was also a member of the choir, teacher of the former Good Fellowship Sunday school class for 12 years and active in various other Epworth ministries and activities.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Jameson Care Center for their loving care of Irene.

She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews; and one sister-in-law, Lucy Fergus.

In addition to her parents and adopted parents, Irene was preceded in death by 4 sisters, Helen Fergus Barnes, Mary Fergus Judge, Jean Fergus Holben and Ruth Fergus Johnson; one brother, James Fergus; 4 brothers-in-law, William Barnes, John Judge, Charles Johnson, and James Holben, and nephew William George Fergus.

Visitation will be held on Sat. Nov. 26th, from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.

A funeral service will follow immediately after visitation at 11:00 AM with Rev. Bill LaValle, of Grace United Methodist Ministries and Rev. Jeff Curtis of Slippery Rock Highland Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Burial will be at Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be offered to Grace United Methodist Ministries, 135 Decker Drive, New Castle, PA 16105, Highland Presbyterian Church, Franklin St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057 or to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA 16101.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.cunninghamfh.com.