Grief Support

What is Grief Support?

Grief comes naturally as a part of loss. People often feel alone and isolated in their grief but no one should have to grieve alone. Many resources are available to help with grief and make its presence and passage both meaningful and rewarding. “The experience of grief is powerful. So, too, is your ability to help yourself heal. In doing the work of grieving, you are moving toward a renewed sense of meaning and purpose in your life.” – Dr. Alan D. Wofeldt, Center for Loss and Life Transitions

What We Offer

Andrew D. Ferguson Funeral Home’s Continual-Care Program offers support for families of all faiths to help before, during and after the loss of a loved one.

  • Online Grief Support connects you to resources which can help with understanding grief:
  • Our Grief Lending Library is comprised of more than 100 books, video tapes and pamphlets dealing with grief, grief resolution, death, and the trauma that surrounds this emotional time in one’s life. Materials may be borrowed at any time.
  • Our On-staff Grief Specialist can assist in selecting materials and programs appropriate to family members’ and friends’ unique situations.
  • Our comprehensive Outreach Program includes two Grief Support Groups, Stepping Stones Pamphlet and Heal One’s Grief Wounds Support Group, as well as speakers on various funeral related topics.

Lillian and David Cale are facilitators for the Newly Bereaved and Advanced groups of Stepping Stones Bereavement Support. Neither is a certified counselor; both are grievers and the programs they provide are peer counseling sessions. Two programs for newly bereaved are offered each year; one begins the second Monday of September and the other the first Monday of March.

Lillian facilitates the ten week Newly Bereaved program that was developed by Lydia Gentile over many years dating back to 1992. Articles, DVDs and conversation are used to aid the group in working through their grief. Lillian had a career as a Junior High teacher and has worked in education and public relations through the years. She has a Masters Degree in Education. She volunteers in the program because she has seen how people are helped by it, as she was after losing her mother in 2000.

David is a university professor who facilitates the Advanced Group (individuals who have completed the Newly Bereaved program and want more information to continue dealing with their loss). David came to the program after his mother-in-law’s death in 2000. He, too, has seen the benefits of the program. Both Lillian and David wish to continue helping grievers reach their full potential as they weather the storms of grieving.

  • We participate in the Living Tree Memorial Service, a helpful way for people to cope with grief and build new life from loss.
  • We have full-time telephone support and offer newsletters and educational seminars to further assist those suffering through loss.

Please contact the Andrew D. Ferguson Funeral Home for any questions regarding grief support or bereavement group meetings. There is absolutely no obligation.

Bereavement groups can help. Those suffering grief often need to reach out and share their feelings, to make sense of what has happened, and to begin rebuilding their lives. Andrew D. Ferguson III helps host the Uniontown Area Bereavement Support Group’s meetings and encourages those dealing with grief to attend. Many different aspects of grief are covered, and there is always time for people to voice their feelings. Here’s an example.

GRIEF IS HARD WORK

Few people think of grieving a loss as hard work. Most people who have experienced the death of a loved one feel tremendous fatigue at times in the grief process. And the reason is that grief is hard work, relentless work, constant work. When we do housecleaning or work in our garden or do our work on the job, we can usually take a break when we feel the need. We step back, walk around a little, change our focus for a moment, or just relax. But, with grief and sorrow, there are no breaks. The loneliness is always there; there are no breaks. The loss is present, if only in our subconscious. The hurt waxes and wanes but never really leaves. No breaks. No time-outs. Just constant and hard work. And, of course, that is fatiguing to anyone. The work must be done. No one can escape it. But the good news is that those who are hard at work in grief can share their burden and lessen their load. – from the Uniontown Area Bereavement Group’s “Stepping Stones,” adapted from an article by Pastor Carl Krueger.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like information on local programs or on borrowing materials from our library.

OBITUARIES

RECENT OBITUARIES

Norman Walk picture
Norman A. Walk, age 60, of Hopwood and formerly of Adah, PA, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024 in Allegheny General Hospital. He was born in Alliquippa, PA, the son of David R.P. Walk and Doris Mae Ramage Walk. In addition to his parents, Norman is preceded in death by his son, Norman A. Walk, Jr. and two sisters, Helen Seese and Donna Seese.   Norman graduated from Fairchance-Georges High School with the Class of 1981. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Norman worked as an assemblyman for Boeing for many years and became a Pastor during that time. He was the preached at the Connellsville Greenwood Heights Church of God.   He was an avid sports enthusiast, loved vacationing, spending time with family and preaching the word of God.   Norman is survived by his loving wife, Teresa Melvin Walk; two daughters, Beth Stenger and husband Randel of Connellsville, PA and Lisa Falk and husband Fred of Gettysburg, PA, four grandchildren, Zachary, Madison, Charles and Charlotte.   Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIES, INC., 80 Morgantown Street, Uniontown, PA, where visitation will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and Tuesday from 10 until 11 AM  followed by a service celebrating Norman’s life at 11 AM with Pastor Stanley Flasher officiating.  Interment will be private. Military rites will be accord by AMVETS Post 103 of Hopwood.   Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at adferguson.com and on the funeral home Facebook page.  
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Madelyn Ellen Robinson Morgan, age 102, of Uniontown, passed away Friday, March 1, 2024.  She was born May 21, 1921 in Smithfield, PA, daughter of the late James R. Robinson and Florence Ellen Glover Robinson.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Myron C. Morgan, brothers, Curtis B. Robinson, Harold Robinson, William Robinson, James Robinson and Jack Robinson and sisters, Rosalee Leech and Naomi Kidwell. Madelyn was a 1940 graduate of Georges High School.  She was a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church.  Madelyn volunteered with the Red Cross Blood Mobile.    She was a volunteer at St. Lukes Hospital and a member of the P.E.O. Sorority.  Madelyn was an avid bridge player and she enjoyed golfing at Ceder Lake Country Club. Left to cherish Madelyn’s memory are her son, Dr. Myron C. Morgan, Jr. (Christine) of Pittsboro, NC; daughters, Michele McCool (Stephen) of Midlothian, VA and Robin Irving (John) of Cassville, NY;   eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, five and many nieces and nephews. Arrangements have been entrusted to the FERGUSON-BROWNFIELD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC, 78 Main Street, Smithfield, PA where family and friends will be received on Friday, March 8th from 6 to 8 p.m.  Viewing will continue on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church followed by a service celebrating Madeline’s life at 11:00 with Rev. Darrell Edgar officiating.  Interment will follow in Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at adferguson.com and on the funeral home Facebook page.
Kirk Wingrove photo
Kirk D. Wingrove, age 66, of Dunbar passed away Thursday, February 29, 2024 at his home.  He was born April 19, 1957 in Connellsville, PA son of the late Clark Wingrove, Sr. and Clara Brooks Wingrove.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Josh Wingrove; sisters, Marjorie Tressler, Geraldine Garcia, Sandra Plesz, Marlene Wingrove and brothers, Raymond Wingrove, Melvin Wingrove and David Wingrove.   Kirk worked as a laborer in the foundry at Clairton Steel.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and picking ginseng and morrell mushrooms.  His greatest joy was spending time with his family and his son.   Left to cherish Kirk’s memory are his daughter, Lacie Wingrove of Layton, PA; brothers Jerry (Chris), James Wingrove, Joseph Wingrove (Carrie), and Clark Wingrove (Donna) all of Dunbar; sisters, Drea Burnsworth (Steve), Cathy Quinlan, Christina Yekel (Tom) and Joann Arvin all of Dunbar and granddaughters, Ellie and Aryas.   Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIES, INC., 80 Morgantown St., Uniontown, PA.  A memorial celebrating Kirk’s life will be held at a later date.   Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at adferguson.com and on the funeral home Facebook page.    
Montgomery for obituary
Elizabeth (Betty/Betts) Jean Zahniser Montgomery, 99 years, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Mount Macrina Manor, Uniontown, PA. Betty was born November 14, 1924 in Franklin, PA, the daughter of John Herman Zahniser and Florence Edna Martin Zahniser. She was predeceased by her parents, husband The Rev. Dean R. Montgomery (March 14, 2019) to whom she was married for nearly 73 years, son Paul Martin Montgomery (July 28, 1970) and brother Robert Calvin Zahniser (Virginia). She is survived by her son, The Rev. Thomas Dean Montgomery (Donna) of Avoca, NY, daughter Jean Louise Montgomery Nass (John), Uniontown, PA, granddaughter Erin Elizabeth DeMuth (Tyler), Madison, WI, step-grandchildren Rebecca Ritter Pollack (Erik) and Debra Ritter Musa (Jody), New York state, and Jason Ritter (Janet), Georgia, and their families, and several nieces and their families Betty was a 1946 graduate of Grove City College with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. At Grove City she formed friendships that continued throughout her life, and it was there that she met Dean. They were married in 1946 following his return from active duty in the United States Army Air Corps. Following Dean’s graduation from Princeton Theological Seminary, they served churches in Cleves and Hillsboro, Ohio until his retirement. Throughout their marriage, Betty played a vital role in her husband’s ministry within the Presbyterian Church, and was actively involved in numerous other church activities including Presbyterian Women, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, serving as a deacon, and as Assistant for Christian Education (First Presbyterian Church, Hillsboro). She had been a member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Uniontown since 2007. In Hillsboro, OH, in addition to her church involvement, she was active in the Junior Women’s Club and the Highland District Hospital Auxiliary. Following retirement to Florida, she and Dean volunteered as tutors for elementary students and students with special needs, and were active members of Port Orange Presbyterian Church where they especially enjoyed singing in the choir. After living in Florida for 20 years Dean and Betty moved back to Pennsylvania to be closer to family in 2007. Betty was a kind and caring person who never lost her sense of humor. She was a gracious hostess who enjoyed entertaining church members at the manse, as well as friends and family visiting from out of town. She expressed her creativity through sewing, needlework, and music, and loved to read, especially British mysteries. She enjoyed watching sports of all kinds into her nineties, and transitioned from a Cincinnati Reds and Bengals fan to a follower of the Pirates and Steelers. Betty and Dean traveled throughout the U.S., visiting many historic and natural sites, hiking, and camping into their eighties (in a tent). They recorded their various escapades in journals and photos. The family is grateful for the compassionate care Betty received from the nursing and activity staff at Mount Macrina Manor. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Andrew D. Ferguson, Uniontown. Visitation will take place on Thursday, March 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Uniontown, followed by a Service of Witness to the Resurrection at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Woodland Cemetery, Grove City, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Betty’s memory to Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 79 West Fayette Street, Uniontown. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Andrew D. Ferguson Funeral Home, 80 Morgantown St, Uniontown PA.  Friends will be received at Trinity United Presbyterian Church on Thursday, March 14th from 10 until 11 a.m. followed by a service celebrating Betty’s life at 11:00 AM with Rev. John Simpson officiating.  Interment will be private.   Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at adferguson.com and on the funeral home Facebook page.