Jane Hough Ferguson

Jane Hough Ferguson, aged 79, passed away from cancer on September 28th 2026 in Poughkeepsie, New York surrounded by friends and family.

She was born on December 19, 1946 in Cumberland, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Albert and Lois Malone Hough.

She is survived by her son Hallam (Laura Baker) and grandsons Max and William, her daughter Gillian, her sisters Barbara (Robert Lind) and Nancy, and her brother David. Also part of her surviving family are AFS exchange siblings Martine, Wachuree and Najib.

Raised in Janesville, Wisconsin she graduated in 1965 from the Janesville Senior High School. She went on to be one of the first women accepted into Brown University’s pre-medical program, and later graduated from the Yale School of Medicine.

Jane then settled in the Hudson Valley of New York and was one of the founding partners of Pine Street Pediatrics in Kingston. Throughout her 40-year career, she impressed anyone she met with her practical, confident, and level-headed recommendations as well as her sense of humor. She loved seeing the babies in her practice grow up and get past their sullen teenager stage and become interesting adults. Even years after they graduated from the practice, Jane would always seem to be able to come up with the names of her former patients when she saw them around town.

Jane’s life was filled with hobbies including leading a local bible study group, hiking national parks with her “Women Over the Edge” friends, and serving as official groundskeeper of her daughter’s sheep farm. Through it all she was blessed with a supportive and loving group of amazing friends.

Calling hours will be from 4-7pm on Wednesday October 7th at Burnett & White funeral home in Red Hook. A memorial service starting at 11am on October 8th will take place at the Rhinebeck Reformed Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rhinebeck Reformed Church, Northern Dutchess Hospital or Red Hook Responds.

Although Jane lived on the East Coast for decades, her heart remained in her hometown of Janesville with its endless horizon views, densely packed cornfields, and the cheerful atmosphere of the local supper clubs. She will return to Wisconsin once more in the summer of 2027 to be laid to rest with her family there.