The Bishop of Whitby has announced the passing away of his wife, Penny Ferguson after a six-month fight with brain cancer.
Writing on his Facebook page, Right Rev Paul Ferguson, said his wife of 39 years passed away “in the small hours” of Sunday morning.
“Penny had been unconscious for most of the last week: around midnight her breathing pattern started to change, and soon after 3am when I had said prayers with her and whilst I was holding her hand, she slipped away,” he wrote.
Bishop Paul said friends, family and colleagues, together with NHS and care staff had been a “wonderful support during this time”.
He continued: “The fact that from the first we knew to expect this outcome does not make it any less devastating: but Penny was rational throughout, and more concerned for us than for herself.
“She was the most wonderful example of faith and hope in facing her own death. May she rest in peace and rise in glory."
Penny was Tees Valley Music Service’s coordinator for Redcar and Cleveland and leaves three grown-up children.