Gin 503 Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) Tributes have been paid to county and district councillor Jo Fergus,- aged 77, whose body was found at her home last Sunday. Born in Staffordshire to a farming family, she moved to Gainford in 1949 and was married the following year. Her late husband Peter was a district councillor. She had 5 children and ran a dress-making business in Darlington during the 1960s becoming involved with politics in the 1970s. A conservative party member, Mrs Fergus joined Durham County Council in 1981 and became a Teesdale district councillor in 1999. She was one of the longest serving members of Durham Police Authority, and was awarded an MBE in 1988 for public and political service. Her eldest daughter , Mary Jo Hewitt, said,- Our Mother thoroughly relished her role in the community. She loved Hunting and dogs, and was the first person in this Country to breed a white Borzoi. She ran a Hunting memorabilia business ( Hark Forrard ) which helped keep her going after our father died in 1999. She missed him terribly. Gerard Fergus said, We are all shocked and saddened. This has been a bolt from the blue. She was a great mother and grandmother- of - 6 and will be missed by us all. She was a dedicated councillor and threw herself into the role, even more after our father died. The Chairman of Durham Police Authority, Peter Thompson, said, She was very passionate in her beliefs and the authority will not be the same without her. Durham county council leader, Coun Simon Henig said,Jo Fergus was someone who cast politics aside to work for her residents in Teesdale and across County Durham. I have nothing but praise for her. She will be sorely missed. As for myself Jo was a regular in our Countryside marquee, with her "Hark Forrard" trade stand. She was a great supporter of all hunting,- and loved all types of Hounds. She was a friend to all who met her. Edited April 13, 2009 by Gin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad al 146 Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 R.I.P. Jo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest little lurcher Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 R I P Jo , a sad loss Quote Link to post Share on other sites
k9delboy 138 Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 JO, you will be missed by all. JO was a good friend of mine and i feel very privaliged as her son Philip has given me a copy of My hunting world, written and signed by Jim meads. This book belonged to Jo and every time i pick it up to read i will remember her and the good chats that we used to have. RIP JO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gin 503 Posted April 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Jo was a very nice Lady, and yes a Lady of principal. She would do anything to help , if she could. She will be a great loss. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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