Obituary of Eileen F. Ferrance

Eileen Florence Wyss Ferrance died November 23 after a long battle with cancer. Eileen was born on September 2, 1947, in Providence, Rhode Island, daughter of Raymond and Ruth (Haswell) Wyss. She was a 1965 graduate of John F. Deering High School, and received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Rhode Island, studying biology, chemistry, mathematics, and science education. Eileen was elected to Phi Kappa Phi honor society in her junior year of college. Eileen married Michael Ferrance on September 3, 1968. They recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary. Eileen taught biology at John F. Deering Junior High School for 18 years. In 1983, she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching and traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet President Reagan as part of this recognition. In 1986 she began work for the Rhode Island Department of Education as the state science specialist. She later worked in Andover, Massachusetts for the Federal Regional Education Laboratory. Eventually her work brought her to the Education Alliance at Brown University, where she retired in 2007. After retirement she moved with her husband to Iowa City, IA, where she enjoyed cooking, traveling, gardening, stained glass, music, and the relaxed life in rural Iowa. She taught stained glass fusing and jewelry making, and participated in numerous arts festivals throughout New England and Iowa. Most of all, she enjoyed her family and grandchildren. Eileen is survived by her father, Raymond Wyss, sisters Debbie (Dick) Went of North Scituate, RI, and Cynthia (Paul) Hilliard of New Hampton, NH, husband Michael, son David (Lisa) Ferrance of Albuquerque, NM, daughter Susan (Volkan) Orhon of Iowa City, and grandchildren Cooper, Zia, Emre, and Norah. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth (Haswell) Wyss. Service will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a contribution to Iowa City Hospice (iowacityhospice.org). Online condolences may be sent to Eileen's family through the web @www.gayandciha.com.