Florence Ayers

On Friday, July 31, 2020 Florence Jean (Ferguson) Ayers, age 93, died quietly at home in Olney, Maryland, with her daughter by her side. Born May 18, 1927, in Detroit Michigan, the youngest of three children and only daughter of Florence (Silvis) Ferguson and Judge Frank Bamford Ferguson. She will be missed by her daughter Susan Jean (Ayers) Spencer and son Donald Jean Ayers, III. She is also missed by those who loved and helped care for her during her daily struggle with Alzheimer’s: her son-in-law Lee Spencer and the many caregivers who were there every step of the way with her.

Florence, known by all as Jean, had many interests in life. She was a homemaker and excelled as a seamstress making tailored suits and clothing for the family. She dabbled in most every type of fiber craft but knitting was her favorite evening pastime. After her husband passed away, in 1992, she found new friends and activities to keep her busy. During the day, you would find her either at the Clawson Senior Center or the Royal Oak Senior Center playing bridge or shooting pool and, yes, she carried her own pool cue with her. At the age of 72, she received her first computer and taught herself how to play computer games, record her finances and transfer photos from her camera to create documented photo histories of the winners of the monthly pool challenge. At the age of 88, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and moved to Olney, Maryland to live with her daughter. She adapted to her changing abilities and new environment. She played bridge at the Rockville Senior Center and special thank you to all the players that helped her along the way. She picked up knitting again and made baby blankets for charity. She learned how to use an iPad to play her favorite game: Sudoku. Jean was a quiet and private person, generous and kind to others. She was a strong woman with a fierce will to live and fought to the very end against the Alzheimer’s that eventually took her from us.

Per her wishes, there will be no services. Her cremains will be returned to her home in Michigan where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Donald Jean Ayers, in White Chapel Cemetery, Troy Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made in (her/his) honor at either of their favored charities by clicking the links below.