Ferne Libby Estes Garland passed away peacefully on January 11th, 2020 with her caregiver Drucilla Armstrong LPN by her side.
Mrs. Garland was born in North Fryeburg Maine on the family farm, April 8th 1927 to Viola (Binford) and Perley Libby. She was a graduate of Fryeburg Academy in 1944. Miss Ferne L. Libby married Clarence W. Estes on September 2, 1944 and to this union was born her two sons, Roger and Craig Estes. She was employed as a cook for the Sadie Adams School, at the local com shop and as a stitcher for a shoe company. In the winters before the children were born, she was a hostess and waitress at the Altamonte Springs Hotel in Altamonete Springs and Lakeshore Inn in Mount Dora both in Florida.
Following her divorce from Clarence Estes, Ferne meet and married Rodney H. Garland on May 15, 1970, her favorite dancing partner of all time. The couple later moved to Zellwood Florida where she was a homemaker, cockatiel breeder and talented crafting artist. Active in NOCIA, she always volunteered at the Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival. Many weekend long pig roasts were hosted at her home for the Orange Blossom SquareDancers, their friends from the Moose Lodge, the Central Florida Model A Club, friends and family members. Everyone will remember her great cooking skills, especially her fried mushrooms, and love for entertaining. In her elder years, she enjoyed playing BINGO, going to church, beauty pageants, birthday parties, red carpet venues, plays, movies and her many casino cruise trips with her friends and caregiver.
Family members include eldest son Roger Estes (Linda) of Okeechobee Florida and Craig Estes (Christine) of Fryeburg Maine. Her grandchildren are Craig Estes II, Jason Estes, Jessica Estes, and Eric Estes (preceded her in death). Her step-daughter Shirin Garland Bachelder lives in Sebago Maine near her children. Ferne often enjoyed the presence of her many great-grandchildren from Florida and Maine. Of course, we can’t forget her cat, Buffy because he was with her most often.
Mrs. Garland was preceded in death by her sister, Leona Libby; brother Glenwood Libby; her husband Rodney H. Garland Sr., Rodney H. Garland Jr. stepson, Tiffany Bachelder step-granddaughter, and her beloved grandson, Eric Estes.