Ann Ferns, 95, of Tecumseh, Michigan, died November 28, 2025 at Cambrian Memory Care under the care of Optimal Care Hospice.
She was born on April 29,1930 at home in Highland Park, Michigan, to Robert William Jess and Florence Margaret (Tschirhart) Jess. She married James Thomas Ferns on January 28, 1950, in Highland Park, and they enjoyed 14 years together in Flat Rock, Michigan with their four children until his death in June 1964. Later, she followed three of her children to California, settling in Santa Barbara. She worked for Tres Condados Girl Scout Council, Inc. until her retirement. She moved back to Michigan in Fall 2023.
Family and travel were her passions. She combined them into genealogy research, traveling to Ireland, England, and beyond to add branches to the family tree. Family reunions were the highlights of her annual trips back to Michigan. Ann is survived by her four children, Lynn (Jim) Smith of Clinton, MI, Jim (Vicki) Ferns of Wooodland Hills, CA, Nancy (Glenn) Mason of Ojai, CA, and JoAnn Ferns of Santa Barbara, CA; her grandchildren Sandy, Liz, Melissa (Craig), Casey (Nick), April, Evan (Danielle), Shelby; and 14 great-grandchildren. Besides her loving husband, Ann was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Robert Jess and Margaret Monaco, and grandson Jeremy (Ashley).
Ann is being laid to rest with her husband at Michigan Memorial Park in Flat Rock, MI. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Cancer Society, or St. Jude.