Megan Ferris was born in Seattle, WA, to Bob and Linda Ferris. She attended school in south Seattle. Megan and her family later moved to Jefferson County where she finished the special education program at Port Townsend High School with teacher Jim Westall.
Upon completion of school, in 1994, Megan inspired her parents to undertake the adventure of starting Gatheringplace, a nonprofit program to bring community members together to embrace the yearning of folks with developmental and other disabilities to be valued and creative in an environment of enrichment activities. Megan loved laughing with her friends at Gatheringplace while helping to prepare snacks, painting, tapping her feet and dancing to music, and loading packages of “Yummy” dog biscuits at Gatheringplace’s Dog Biscuit Bakery.
Megan was very happy to go on family trips to Coeur d’Alene and Priest Lakes in North Idaho. She loved walking in the woods, on the beaches and boat docks, boat rides and eating huckleberries. Megan and her family flew to Hawaii where she loved the warm water for swimming. Once she went in a zodiac to find dolphins, where over 250 appeared along the Kona Coast on a very sunny day! Megan and the dolphins communicated by clicking to each other.
Megan really looked forward to riding horses with Salish Spirit Equine Assisted Therapy for several summers. She was very fond of animals, especially cats and dogs.
Megan touched people’s lives wherever she went. She shared her love unconditionally and brightened their days through her waves and smiles. Beautiful red hair was her signature, her pride and glory!
Megan is survived by her parents Bob and Linda Ferris of Port Townsend, Auntie Joanne and the late Uncle Tom Ferris of Spokane, Uncle Tom and Aunt Jody McClellan, of Littleton, CO, six cousins, second cousins and their families. There are no words today to tell you, precious Megan, how much we all miss you.
She sends blessings to all of you who made her life so happy, including wonderful caregivers Kristin Strand, Lezlie Rehkopf, Lori McKenzie, Lisa Doray, Joy Carriger and Community Guide Liz Barnes. Our angel of love and light has left the earth. Soar High!
There will be a celebration of Megan’s life at a later date, when we will be able to gather together.
