10/03/2026
FERGUSON, Carolann, Aged 67 Years:
It is with great sadness that we announce the funeral arrangements of Mrs Carolann Ferguson, who passed away peacefully after a short stay in St Andrews Hospice on 4th March 2026.
Carolann was born to her parents, Michael and Annie McAuley, on 30th June 1958. She spent her earliest days living in Oxford Street before later moving to Kirk Street and then to Highcross Avenue, each home holding a special place in her heart.
She grew up in a large and lively family as one of thirteen children. Her brothers and sisters were Michael, Danny, Eddie, John, Mick, Pat, Jim, Alice, Annie, Theresa, Maggie, Bridget and Agnes. Today, Eddie and Pat are the last surviving of Carolann’s twelve dearly loved siblings.
Carolann had many happy memories of being raised as part of such a large family. She attended St Augustine’s Primary School before completing her education at Columba High School.
Her first job after leaving school was at McKinnon Mills. Over the years she worked in a variety of places, including as a cleaner in several schools such as the original Coatbridge High School. She also worked at Kwik Save and the Showcase Cinema. Wherever she worked, Carolann made many friends along the way.
Carolann had many friends throughout her life, but her closest was the late Jed, her niece, whom Carolann always referred to as her sister.
She found love at a young age with Tam Ferguson. Together they had three children. Craig was born on 1st October 1978 and was very much his mum’s blue-eyed boy, whom she loved dearly. Sadly, Craig passed away in March 2010 at the age of just 30, a loss that Carolann carried with her always.
Nicola was their second child who was born on 29th October 1979, and finally Caroline, who completed the family with her arrival on 26th June 1985.
Carolann was not just a mother, she was a best friend to her children. Caroline, being the youngest, perhaps got away with a little more than the others. The children enjoyed holidays to Blackpool, caravan trips to Seton Sands (one of Carolann’s favourite places) and many other trips and adventures together. Many cherished memories were also made in the family home at Woodside Street and later at Annerley Court, Carolann’s final address.
Carolann welcomed daughter-in-law Angela into the family during an earlier chapter of her life, and later Ade and Jedi were also welcomed with open arms. At Caroline and Ade’s wedding in the Coats Building, Carolann proudly said she had gained another son in Ade. Ade described her as a “super sweet mum,” and over the past six years she also built a wonderful relationship with Jedi.
One of Carolann’s greatest joys in life was becoming a granny. She was a much-loved grandmother to Shannon, Katelin, Aimee and Jayden. To them she was more than just a granny; she was like a second mother. She was also delighted to welcome their partners, David and Jordan, into the family.
Her grandchildren were truly the centre of her world, and Jayden, like Craig before him, was often lovingly called her blue-eyed boy.
Carolann was known as a woman with a big heart whose house door was always open. She often joked that you could put a sign saying “Orphanage” on her house because everyone was welcome. Friends, neighbours, family, and even those who had nowhere else to go could always find warmth and a place to rest in her home.
Members of the Nigerian community living in Scotland or visiting here were also welcomed with open arms. At one point, Carolann even had twelve people staying in her three-bedroom house for several weeks, happily making room for them all.
Carolann was a much-loved sister-in-law to both her own family and Tam’s family, and a warm, fun and welcoming auntie to her many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. Indeed, she was known as “Granny” to almost everyone, whether related by blood or not. She also cherished being Godmother to her late nephew Gary and her niece Gillian. When Gary became unwell, Carolann lovingly cared for him during the final months of his life before he sadly passed away in 2018.
Carolann loved a good laugh and a good gossip and had a wonderful sense of humour. She was also known as a great cook and was especially famous for her Sunday dinners.
She enjoyed getting out and about, including visiting the Baptist Church in Coatbridge and spending time with people. At home she loved having the television on, especially watching programmes such as Vera, Frost, and Inspector Morse. If anyone dared to turn the television off, she would quickly give them what for.
She also loved her bingo and enjoyed listening to music by Daniel O’Donnell, Andrea Bocelli, Elvis Presley, Celine Dion, Patsy Cline and Westlife, as well as many traditional and contemporary hymns and worship songs. In more recent years she discovered a love of online shopping, particularly on Temu and the TikTok Shop, where she may well have been one of their best customers.
In addition to people, Carolann had a great love of animals, especially dogs. Ted, her five-year-old toy poodle, was a much-loved companion, and before him Milo had also been a cherished part of family life.
Although Carolann and Tam eventually went their separate ways, they remained very close and the best of friends until the end of Tam’s life. He was always the love of her life.
In recent years Carolann’s health had been in decline and earlier last year she was also diagnosed with cancer. She underwent a course of radiotherapy and faced this new challenge with courage and strength. She maintained her independence right to the very end without complaint.
Thanks to the care and support of her two daughters, son in laws and her grandchildren, she was able to remain at home until the final two days of her life, which were spent in St Andrews Hospice; it was there she passed away peacefully on 4th March, aged 67 years.
Funeral Arrangements:
Thursday 12th March:
A family evening will take place at Coats Funeral Home from 6–8pm, where family and friends may gather and pay their last respects to Carolann.
Friday 13th March:
The hearse and funeral cortège will depart from Carolann’s home at 12 noon and proceed to Coats Funeral Home for a 12.30pm service of thanksgiving. Thereafter, the cortège will proceed to Daldowie Crematorium (West Chapel) in Glasgow for a short service of committal.
Nicola, Caroline and the family would like to thank all relatives, friends and neighbours for their prayers and kind expressions of sympathy and support.
They warmly invite you to return with them afterwards to St Monica’s RC Church Hall for refreshments and to further celebrate Carolann’s life.
Mrs Carolann Ferguson
1958 – 2026
At rest with Craig and Tam
Safe in the arms of Jesus