It is with a heavy heart
we announce the peaceful passing of Peg Ferris, wife of Keith Ferris, on February 20th, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the Peggy Ferris Memorial Scholarship Fund. Details can be found here
Margaret (Peggy) Todd Ferris passed away peacefully at home on February 20, 2022. She was born Margaret Jo Todd on January 27, 1931 in St. Louis, Missouri to Edward Judson Todd and Josephine Craven Todd. She had one brother, William (Bill) Todd. The true adventure began in 1953 when she married Carlisle Keith Ferris and together raised two children, Nancy Dean Ferris Huggins (Bill) and Carlisle Todd Ferris (Julia). Raised in Webster Groves Missouri, she graduated from Webster Groves High School in June 1948 and went on to the University of Missouri where in June 1952 she earned The Degree of Bachelor of Science in Education; and was awarded a Life Teaching Certificate and began her teaching career in physical education at Festus High School in Festus MO. She was a lifelong sports fan, especially of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club. The Ferris family moved to their home in Glacier Hills, Morris Plains NJ in 1958 where she was a homemaker. She returned to teaching high school physical education at Parsippany Hills High School, Parsippany NJ from 1969 to 1980, where she was a revered girls basketball coach. Once retired from teaching, she became a full-time assistant for Keith Ferris, Inc., the aviation art business she held with her loving husband of 68 years. Always the planner, she was instrumental in the creation of the American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA), which includes members from 40 of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa. She organized the ASAA Eastern Regional Meetings for many, many years. Along with her husband, she attended almost four decades of annual ASAA Forums. Through her husband’s aviation art career, she too became very involved with the United States Air Force (USAF). As a result, she visited USAF bases around the world. She treasured the relationships that were made with many members of the USAF, especially the members of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1968). Mrs. Ferris was so proud to be a PI PHI (Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women) at the University of Missouri. In 1994, she was named Person of the Year by the Union-Morris Chapter #195 of the Air Force Association Aeronautical Education Foundation and The New Jersey Air Force Association Special Service Award in 1994. Mrs. Ferris was recognized for a “Decade of Tireless Effort and Inspiring Devotion” to ASAA in 1996, and in 1997, she was the first recipient of the Luther Y. Gore ASAA Distinguished Service Award along with her husband. Besides her loving husband and two children, she leaves her grandchildren Ricky Huggins (Saira), Allison Gannett (Tim), Tyler Ferris (JaCoy) and Evan Ferris. |
It is with great sadness
we announce the peaceful passing of ASAA member Tiro Vorster on April 24, 2022.
Tiro and “Time to Climb”
A message from his family:
After many happy years in the South African Air Force and some fine ones in retirement, we had to bid Tiro farewell after a serious illness. His brushes, paint and easel are stored away, but his paintings adorn many walls. He was an inspiration to many friends with his remarkable knowledge of aircraft and cars. We have 53 years of precious memories. We greet him with pride. Hannatjie, Tihanna, Andre and family.