Elinor Lee (Taylor) Ferguson

MARBLEHEAD – Mrs. Elinor Lee “Nea” (Taylor) Ferguson, 99, of Marblehead, beloved wife of the late James Ferguson, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Born in Everett, she was the daughter of the late Donald K. and Edith (Chambers) Taylor. She was raised and educated in Everett before moving to Marblehead at the start of her high school years. She was a graduate of Marblehead High School, Class of 1943, and went on to make Marblehead her forever home.

Mrs. Ferguson was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Prior to starting a family, she was employed in the banking industry as an insurance agent. She then dedicated her life to her home and family, raising her two daughters and staying actively involved in all of their endeavors. Elinor was her grandchildren’s most staunch supporter. She attended and travelled to many of their sporting activities and was well known on the sideline as their biggest cheerleader. At the age of 75, Elinor re-entered the workforce as a lunch aide at the Glover School in Marblehead. She truly cherished her time with the children, and they loved her dearly in return.

A longtime Marblehead resident, Elinor was a former active parishioner of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, where she served as a Parish Aide and devoted her time and talents to numerous church activities. She also served as a Girl Scout leader for her daughters at the Glover School and was always quick to help anyone in need.

Elinor’s true calling card was her warm, easy laugh. It accompanied her in all situations. A strong-willed woman with a vibrant spirit, she was well known throughout her neighborhood for playing with the local youth—never hesitating to show them up in a game of basketball. She was deeply proud to be the true matriarch of her family and showered love on everyone around her, including her adored canine companion, Rigby. She truly lived for the love of her family, and it showed.

Elinor is survived by her daughters, Donna Lee Small and her husband, Dan Goldberg of Boston, and Phyllis Tracy and her husband, Peter of Conway, NH; her grandchildren, Taylor Tracy and his wife, Kate of Vero Beach, FL, and Christopher Tracy and his wife, Katie of Framingham; her great-grandchildren, Ben, Rylan, Lizzie, and Connor. She was the sister of the late Donald Taylor Jr. and Phyllis Swain.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM, on Monday, September 14th at 11:30 A.M. Relatives and friends are invited. A visiting hour will be held prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30A.M. Burial in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elinor’s memory may be made to Care Dimensions (caredimensions.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.