Cathy, the spouse of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has died at the age of 84, her family revealed.
The mother of three from Glasgow, affectionately termed her husband’s ‘bedrock,’ peacefully passed away yesterday morning in Cheshire, surrounded by her family.
She was credited with playing a vital part in his recovery process following a stroke he suffered after retiring from the club in 2013.
A statement on behalf of the Ferguson family said: ‘We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family asks for privacy at this time.’
They were married for nearly six decades, their journey together began at a Glasgow typewriter factory where they were both employed.
When Ferguson announced his retirement as manager of Manchester United in 2013 following a remarkable and enduring period of success, he said: ‘My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.’
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A Manchester United club statement said: ‘Everyone at Manchester United sends our heartfelt condolences to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family. Lady Cathy was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a tower of strength for Sir Alex throughout his career.’
In the documentary titled ‘Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In’, which premiered in 2021, Sir Alex dedicated his career to Cathy.
He discussed meeting his future wife in the factory where they worked. ‘I was 22. I had this friend, she said to me, ‘there’s a really nice girl, just started’. I’d suffered an injury in football and had a plaster on my face. She thought I was a gangster or a boxer. I took her to the movies.’
In the documentary directed by their son Jason, Cathy recounted the sweet story of her first date with Sir Alex, a visit to the cinema.
‘He bought me a box of liquorice allsorts at the movies, of which he ate all of them, and a local paper when we came out. That was my romantic day,’ she said. ‘We got married in Glasgow registry office in 1966 and that was the start. I went to my work and he went to his football.’
Jason Ferguson said in the film that his mother had been his father’s “rock”, adding: ‘She has allowed him to indulge in his obsession. She more or less brought me and my brothers up on her own and made sacrifices to allow him to do what he did.’
Old Trafford has lowered its flags to half-mast as a gesture of respect, with both the men’s and women’s teams set to wear black armbands in their weekend matches.