Mary Louise Ferguson, 88, of Butler died Wednesday at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born June 4, 1920, in New Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late William and Beatrice (Carr) Ferguson.

She was a graduate of Butler High School and had worked for the State of Pennsylvania Highway Department. In 1955, she moved to Washington, D.C., to work as a secretary for the assistant director of the Agency for International Development. In her many years of work there, she had met diplomats, astronauts and presidents, had worked with Henry Kissinger and moved to Paris for five years while working on the Paris Peace Talks.

She always enjoyed traveling and having and spending time with her many friends.

Mary returned to Butler following her retirement.

She was a member of the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler.

Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Lewis (Barbara) Fennell of Butler; two nieces, Mrs. Chuck (Kate) Ferrick of Butler and Mrs. Russ (Mary Lou) Somma of Sparta, N.J.; a great-niece, Mary Regina Somma; and a great-nephew, William Somma.

<B>Ferguson </B>— Friends of Mary Louise Ferguson, who died Wednesday, March 4, 2009, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday at the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Butler.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.