Janet Ferguson Fosmire

“… And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand…”

        And so God did on July 9, 2026, for our precious mom, mother-in-law, “Mimi,” and friend, Janet “Jan” Ferguson Fosmire.

        Born on July 18, 1938, in Elizabeth, NJ, to George and Helen McMahon Ferguson, Jan graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in history and international studies, including studies in Vienna, Austria. She was recruited during her senior year to work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to assist station chiefs in setting up field stations. Upon graduation, Jan went to Radcliff to become proficient in typing and shorthand. Jan started with the Agency in Washinton, DC, underwent field training, and was asked to take an assignment in Vientiane, Laos. Jan was trilingual and spoke English as well as fluent Thai and Lao. She became a translator for the agency, which is where she met the love of her life, Tom, who was a CIA paramilitary officer. Their first “date” was in the dark room after Tom was looking for help to develop film, and Jan offered to assist. They married seven months later, in 1961.

       Jan and Tom shared an amazing, adventurous life together – the kind that books are written about. Not many people get to see a tiger live in the wild while trekking the Himalayas in Nepal with family or can say that they saw a U-2 spy plane at a time and place when it wasn’t known to be….and was told to forget she saw it. And then, there are all those CIA adventures!

       Jan spent more than fifteen years in Southeast Asia between Laos and Thailand. Both of Jan’s sons, Mark and Eric, were born in Bangkok. After Mark was born and while pregnant with Eric, the family was traveling from Laos to Bangkok in a small Air America aircraft when the pilot missed a radio check, and U.S. fighter jets were sent to intercept the plane. As fighters roared past and the Air America pilot tried to correct the error, Jan held Mark up in the window to show the interceptors that there was a family on board. She might just have originated “Baby on Board” in a most exciting way.

       After Southeast Asia duties, the family moved to Vienna, VA, until Tom “retired” from the Agency. The family moved to Florence, SC, to join a relative in a local commuter airline business, which was Florence Air Lines. Jan eventually enjoyed a more leisurely pace and went to work part-time as a merchandiser with Mattel. She also volunteered as a greeter at the Mcleod Hospital visitors desk where on one interesting day she was held hostage at gunpoint by a mentally ill gentleman seeking help. She kept her cool, as usual, and talked calmly with her captor until police were able to secure him. Her volunteer efforts turned to the NICU at McLeod, where she cuddled babies and conducted hearing screenings. Special cuddling began, though, in December of 1997 and then again in 2000, when Jan was able to shower her love on her grandbabies that would forever change her life - Alex and Regan. She adored them with her whole heart and soul. When her grandchildren were young, Jan could talk about construction diggers and excavators with Alex and then quickly pivot to playing dolls with Regan. Throughout their lives Jan made it a priority to find a way to connect with them at every stage.

       Jan loved a good party and hosted many with Tom in Thailand. At least one of them was held in ankle-deep water in the house during monsoon season, which all in attendance just treated as a common occurrence as they slipped off their shoes and carried on. Family and friends looked forward to Tom and Jan’s annual Christmas party in Florence, where, if you were lucky, you could sample her famous double-frosted bourbon brownies or bourbon punch. It might sound like Jan liked bourbon, but she actually enjoyed Chardonnay the most – especially with her dearest friend, who was more like a sister, Janette. God blessed Jan with a special angel when Janette came along. Jan also made sure she didn’t miss a Sunday with the “back row mafia” at St. Anne Catholic Church, until she moved to Columbia five years ago to be closer to her family.

       Jan was an avid reader, who often finished a book a day! She was artistic and made baskets and painted resin Santas.  Her most beautiful work was her needlepoint.  From magnificent Christmas stockings and pillows to Halloween décor and artwork for her grandchildren, Jan created the most incredible pieces that her family will treasure forever.

       Jan is predeceased by her husband, Tom, and oldest son, Mark, and leaves to cherish her memory her son, Eric (Donna) and her grandchildren Alex and Regan (Cam) Tringali, all of Columbia, as well as other beloved family and friends. To Barbara, Jimmy, Monica, the Foley family, and Diane and Chuck, thank you for staying in touch with Jan. It meant the world to her.

       The family and Jan were blessed by the skill, love, and care that was given to her during the last stop in her life story at Laurel Crest, especially Cessandra (who took Jan out for her favorite frappes), Ray, Amanda, Courtney, Danielle, and the rest of the staff. There will never be enough words to express the family’s gratitude to them or to her special caregiver and friend Wanda and her husband, Joe. You all are treasured angels.

       The family will have a private ceremony. Memorials may be made to the PCSC Foundation (please indicate Laurel Crest Employee Appreciation Fund) 2817 Ashland Rd., Columbia, SC, 29210; St. Anne Catholic Church in Florence, or St. Joseph Catholic Church in Columbia.

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