About Maggie

Maggie’s signature line was always “love infinity” to her family members, and it was a true description of how she lived. She seemed to have an infinite amount of love within her, that she generously shared with every person she met.

Her medical students, her patients, her co-workers, her family and anyone who chanced to cross her path was held with such affection and love that it was easy to forget about everything else.

Maggie Ferguson (or Margaret Smith, M.D.) lived an exemplary life of giving. By her example, we her family have learned that no matter how much we give, there is always in infinite supply to replace what is given. Her love did not diminish but expanded with every interaction she had, and with every gift she gave.

Last year on her 70th birthday, we gave her this infinity necklace to symbolize her infinite love.

infinity necklace

If you have stories or photos to share, please submit them by email to todd@toddsmithphotography.com, or leave a comment below.

{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

Cynthia Oxboel July 7, 2010 at 8:49 pm

My condolences to Maggie’s family.

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Anthony Gagliardi July 7, 2010 at 9:53 pm

To know her was to love her, respect her, and be in awe of her.
It is with a profound sense of personal and professional loss that I offer my heartfelt condolences to her entire family. Maggie was a shining example of the caring, competent and complete physician. She was the calm amid the storm. She gave unceasingly of her time, attention and expertise to all that she touched—patients, colleagues, students, residents and family. I had the personal perquisite on two occasions of accompanying her on pilgrimage to Lourdes. Her deep sense of faith and compassion was so obviously palpable. St. Vincent’s had no one more worthy of the title of teacher. She epitomized the spirit promulgated by Sr. Loretta Bernard: “As one lamp lights another nor grows less so—nobleness enkindleth nobleness”. On July 5th, the Earth grew less as heaven expanded. She will be missed for her energy, kindness and constancy and remembered for the nobleness and compassion she gave to our world.
Please watch over us from your place in heaven.

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Akram Boutros July 7, 2010 at 11:16 pm

I’ve had the extraordinary privilege to have worked with Maggie during the past 18 month. During the past three months, we saw each other four or five times a day. I was and still am in awe of her as a person, physician, educator, and manager.

Maggie always made me feel good even when we disagreed and she had to change her approach. She remarked that she wants to learn a different approach. She was the most selfless, loving professional I met. My heart is broken for not having the opportunity to know her longer and my heart is jubilant for having had the privilege to know her and for her to tell me that I am a good man.

Many people have told me that I shouldn’t have gotten involved with St. Voncent’s but they don’t know Maggie, Tony, Mike, Mary, Dennis, amd so many other wonderful people.

My deepest condolences to Dr. Ferguson and Maggie’s friends and family.

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Charito Love July 8, 2010 at 9:29 am

It was a great privilege to work with Dr. Smith during the last weeks of the residency program. What a caring and dedicated medical professional! She cared for those residents very much. My deepest condolences to her family and to all who loved her.

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Patricia McCauley July 8, 2010 at 12:48 pm

I had the profound pleasure of working with Dr. Smith for many years while at St. Vincent’s. Her caring and compassion epitomized the mission of the hospital. She always took the time to meet with you and discuss any concerns that you might have. She demonstrated the care and concern you expect from a physician and teacher. My prayers are with her and her family during this most tragic time.

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Caroline Calisto July 8, 2010 at 1:30 pm

I send so much love to my cousins Ann, Sarah and Todd. Your mom never stopped being part of my family. I am so sorry for your loss. I send support to all in this really difficult time. I will be lighting candles in the church in Albuquerque to celebrate the light she carried.
Love,
Caroline

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Dr. Jessie Mercay July 8, 2010 at 1:46 pm

While I did not personally know Dr. Maggie Smith, I know she must have been an amazing person. Knowing her son Todd is evidence of that. I offer my condolences and heartfelt prayers to Todd and his family.

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Elizabeth Levine July 8, 2010 at 2:02 pm

Dr. Smith was a real inspiration to me when I was a resident and fellow at Saint Vincents in the 1990’s. Once a week I worked with her in the Rheumatology clinic and she was an amazing person, doctor and teacher. Her intelligence, compassion and kindness were always present with incredible ease. My heart goes out to Dr. Ferguson and their family.

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Kellie Faircloth July 8, 2010 at 2:25 pm

I was incredibly fortunate to be one of Dr. Smith’s students this past year. As I soon become a physician myself, I will plan to be mindful of the lessons bestowed upon me from the wonderful teacher I had at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Dr. Smith was a beautiful person and her dedication to being both a physician and educator was extra ordinary. Thank you, Dr. Smith, for who you are and what you did for others.

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Marianne Kuwabara July 8, 2010 at 2:34 pm

I did not know Maggie, but have had the privilege of meeting her son Todd so I can tell what a wonderful mother she must have been. I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Todd and the rest of the family.

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emma addison July 8, 2010 at 2:52 pm

I have only met Todd briefly, but through my Ayurvedic
family, know him well~~~ a child is always a reflection
of the parents, and Todd reflects the quiet profundity
and depth of a beautiful & conscious parentage.

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Aaron Schwaller July 8, 2010 at 6:48 pm

I only know Maggie through Todd, and through the above comments. Obviously she is an amazing being who inspires those around her. As her presence makes this resonant wave through her transition, I feel touched by her inspiration as well. I am very glad to know Todd as he too carries the gift of inspiring others. Thank you both for shedding your light so brightly and for living life to its’ fullest. We are blessed for having you in our lives.

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Igor Pusenjak July 8, 2010 at 8:01 pm

Blue Skies to an amazing person, a fellow pilot, and a wonderful AME. Thanks for everything! Deepest condolences to Dr. Ferguson and family.

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Carolyn July 8, 2010 at 9:57 pm

Below is part of the tribute and the request I made of my friends and family in honor of your mother and her infinite love…

I actually never met Maggie – I heard about her in rich detail from Sarah. I am dazzled by her daughter, Sarah. I knew Maggie by the way Sarah mothers her children and how she loves her husband and speaks of her brother and her family and how she treats people fortunate enough to be in her world. I know what Maggie’s love and determination means from witnessing the impact on Sarah and Sarah’s impact on the world.

Sarah’s mother is one less light here on earth. I know she is in a better place and they are overjoyed to receive her. Still, it’s difficult here, now. When a loving leader steps out of the room of your life, you must ask how they would want you to go on. It’s lonely to step up and lead from your heart. Sarah and the rest of Maggie’s family need us to help bring the light — and to show that leading with love is not lonely. It makes us whole again. Maggie’s moved on. We’re promoted. Help us show love lives on and grows brighter.

Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality. ~Emily Dickinson

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Tara Bellamkonda July 8, 2010 at 11:19 pm

I was fortunate to know Dr. Smith while I was a resident at St. Vincent’s Hospital and am greatly saddened to hear of her untimely death. She was exceedingly generous, wise, and gracious and imparted so much knowledge and support to all of us. My deepest sympathy is with Dr. Smith’s family and friends; please know her life will be remembered and honored by everyone who knew her.

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Zeyna Ballee July 9, 2010 at 12:24 am

I met Dr. Smith through her equally wonderful daughter, Sarah, a dear friend and role model. So I mourn the role model of my role model. And I remember Dr. Smith so fondly. Among the several times we met was once when she treated me in New York when I was a recent grad, passing through the city, was sick and didn’t have any money or insurance. She healed me as much with a prescription as with much-needed reassurance and extraordinary warmth! Sending love and prayers to the whole family.

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Jen Howes July 9, 2010 at 12:59 am

I had the extraordinary privilege of working with Dr. Smith during my (almost) three years as a medicine resident at St. Vincent’s. Her great grace, humility, compassion and love will always be an example to me of the kind of physician and person I can only hope to become. Her life is an inspiration to all of us who worked with her. My sincere condolences to her family on the loss of this amazing woman. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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Bashar Albarghuthy July 9, 2010 at 1:07 am

I was fortunate to know Dr. Smith through last year, my internship , at St. Vincent’s Hospital. She was always there for the Interns and Residents, teaching, helping and supporting us. Dr. Smith will be always remembered by everyone who knew her as the best teacher and a generous mentor.
My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

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Emily Hurstak July 9, 2010 at 6:08 pm

I had the great good fortune to meet Maggie while on Lourde’s Pilgrimage in 2008 & 2009, & was so taken with her quiet goodness, kindness, & the compassionate care she provided to our malades.
We enjoyed wonderful conversation while hiking to the Cross over the Domain, where one feels so close to heaven….now Maggie is surely there, a tremendous human loss to her family & friends, but now with Our Lady & her Son, able to continue to radiate her infinite love from heaven.

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Nancy Tafoya July 9, 2010 at 6:38 pm

To know her son Matthew Ferguson is to have a glimpse into the rare character and immense gifts of Dr. Maggie Smith. While her physical self is no longer with us, her light stays and enriches all. Go with God’s blessing.

Nancy Tafoya
on behalf of the whole
TanzBar Team

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Anu Ashok July 9, 2010 at 8:16 pm

I only met Dr. Smith in February of this year, but I feel privileged to have had even the briefest knowledge of such a wonderful human being. To describe her as saintly would not even do full justice to the compassion and genuine heartfelt kindness that she exuded, even in the most dire of circumstances. I am certain that her legacy will continue on through her family and friends, and the hundreds of young physicians who she trained over the years. My condolences to her husband and the world of people she touched.

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Darlene Scott July 10, 2010 at 2:27 am

I only knew Dr. Smith as seeing her and she always speaking and saying either good morning or good afternoon. She was a very quite but very humble person and always had a smile. My heart goes out to all she came in contact with to make a difference. My deepest sympathy goes out to her entire family.

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Charles Cocran July 10, 2010 at 3:53 am

I met Dr.Smith twenty years ago in West Palm Beach. In those days she was known as Nan. She sold me the beautiful Spanish-style house she and her daughters lived in at the time and let me adopt the calico cat they had birthed and brought from Iowa. The house has been and continues to be my pride and joy. And the cat, Hawkeye (I changed her name to Ames after the city in Iowa) lived to the age of twenty. She was my absolute darling and she died peacefully in the living room in ’07. Dr. Smith came to the house twice after I moved in—-once to dinner and several years later for another walk-through and to say hello again to the cat. Dr. Smith was an absolutely marvelous person and I was shocked and saddened to hear that she had passed. I shall always be grateful that our lives touched in such a very special way. I have had many happy years since our paths crossed.

My deepest condolences to her family.

Charles Cochran

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Sallee Haerr July 10, 2010 at 11:43 pm

My deepest condolences to Todd and all extended family of Maggie, Michael and Theresa. This is so incomprehensible. Todd, although I have never even met you or any of your family, this site has given me a glimpse of what wonderful people each one was and how zestfully and joyously they lived their lives… that in itself is an inspiration and really beautiful. Thank you for sharing that.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

PS. BTW- I saw your Grinnell t-shirt in one of the photos – my alma mater also.

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patrick annello m.d. July 11, 2010 at 3:40 am

I am forever grateful and thankful to have worked with such a wonderful person and role model. I was an intern at St. Vincent’s not long ago and can still remember Dr. Smith bringing us dinner when we were on call Christmas Eve. I will never forget her great teachings and patience. I will miss her greatly.

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Jacek Wojtowicz July 14, 2010 at 5:48 pm

I only met Dr. Smith a few times for my bi-annual pilot certificate check-ups at St. Vincent Hospital, but in these short few moments I could learn how warm and passionate person She was. She loved flying and going places with the family in Her new airplane, and had a great spirit for adventure. It is so sad and unfortunate that Her last flight ended in tragedy. My deepest sympathy to Her friends and family.

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Ryan St.Clair July 11, 2012 at 2:35 pm

I knew Dr. Smith as the Residency Director at St.Vincent’s during my internship year. I remember her as a spotlight of positivity and encouragement during a year that was very difficult for me. Thank you so much Dr. Smith, I’m honored to have trained under you, you live on as an inspiration.

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