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Minnie Ferguson reported for her first day of work at �Ӱ���Ƶ on Oct. 28, 1968. In the nearly five decades since, she became a campus fixture, known for her strong work ethic and feisty but compassionate personality. “Minnie was kindhearted, loved her family and enjoyed with great pride her long history at Case (Western Reserve),” said Tangela Scott, manager for business development and operations in the Department of Custodial Services. On Sunday, Ferguson, group leader for custodial services, collapsed while working during commencement. She was rushed to the hospital, where she died, Scott said. She was 82. Viewing is Friday, June 2, noon to 7 p.m., at Strawbridge Memorial Chapel, 3612 East 116th Street, Cleveland. Services are Saturday, June 3, with a wake at 9 a.m. and funeral service at 9:30 a.m., at New Life Cathedral church, 16200 Euclid Avenue, East Cleveland. Colleagues remembered Ferguson for her dedication, mentoring, and inclination to speak her mind when she thought it necessary. “She never called off, it’s just amazing,” said Fred Peck, manager of custodial services. “I know she took two buses to work every day and took two buses home. When I say dedicated, she was dedicated. No matter what—weather, whatever—she was there.” Ferguson would take younger staff members “under her wing and show them what to do,” Peck said. “Everybody respected her immensely.” Henry Hill, academic custodial operations manager who worked with Ferguson for 32 years, remembered her for an uplifting spirt and sharp mind. Ferguson wasn’t one to mince words, colleagues said. She always spoke her mind and often shared nuggets of wisdom and advice to those who would listen. “Minnie had a way of getting in your face to make her voice heard,” Scott said. “If she didn’t like the way I was wearing my hair she would tell me, ‘Oh, I like the other hairstyle better, that is a mess.’ Or if I was wearing something that she didn’t feel was work appropriate, she would say, ‘Look here, I don’t like that dress, missy, you’re being fast.’ “She was literally good for pulling my arm and starting all her conversations with, ‘Listen here…’ You didn’t have a choice but to listen when Minnie decided that she had something to say,” Scott recalled, “and when she was done, she would laugh and move on to the next topic of discussion.” Survivors include her children, Toyia Brown and Alonzo Ferguson, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. “I kept asking Minnie, ‘Why don’t you retire and enjoy life?’” Peck recalled. “She’d say, ‘No, I’ll tell you when I’m ready.’ Besides her grandbabies and great grandbabies, Case (Western Reserve) was her life. Her presence and powerful personality on this campus community and within our hearts will be sorely missed.”