Maria Catherine Takata

Maria C. Takata passed early morning December 5, 2023. She was 81 years old. The oldest child of Joseph and Rae Donroe of Hamden, CT and sister of Joe Donroe. She was raised in Hamden, CT and attended Catholic schools including St. Rapheal’s School of Nursing where she graduated in 1963. In 1967, she married Hiroyoshi Takata, M.D., and had four children who she raised in West Hartford, CT. Eventually they divorced, and she focused on caring for her children and her education. In 1987, she graduated with a BS degree from St. Joseph’s College and returned to her nursing career at such admirable institutions as New Britain General Hospital, Winstead General Hospital, Hartford and Old Saybrook VNA, and finally Connecticut Hospice. It was in the New Haven community that she served those in hospice care for seven years and retired in 2013.

She is survived by her spouse Doug Ferguson, children Hiro, Alison, Mark and Suzy, along with eight grandchildren, brother Joe and his wife Judi, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She is best known for her big heart, sparkling laugh, endless capacity for love and seeing the best in people. She dedicated her life to helping others through her nursing career and feeding them all with her cooking and unconditional love.

Calling Hours will be held at Swan Funeral home in Old Saybrook, December 16th, 2023 at 12:00 - 3:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held 3:00 PM, immediately following calling hours.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests making a donation to connecticut hospice at https://www.hospice.com/donate/