Paulette passed away of natural causes June 30, 2026 at her home surrounded by family and her precious corgis.

She was born January 25, 1944 to Ted and Milly Sowa in Great Falls, Montana.  Paulette grew up on the Sun River with many uncles, aunts and cousins and attended schools in Great Falls, including West Junior High where she met her husband Jim, and graduated from Great Falls Central High School.  She attended Fort Wright College of the Holy Names in Spokane, Washington and graduated with a B.A.  Paulette married Jim Ferguson in 1967 and the two lived in Missoula where she became a social worker for the State.

She then decided to pursue law school all while raising their three young children. She graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Montana Law School in 1976 forging a path for women in law in Missoula! She practiced law as a sole practitioner focusing on family law, criminal defense, social security disability, along side public service appointments. She finished up her career as a public defender for the State of Montana. She was a well-respected attorney from her colleagues and always stood up for the underdog!

She loved attending and helping out with the many different sporting events and fundraising while her children attended Loyola Sacred Heart. She was an active member of the Loyola Sacred Heart Foundation and chaired many Bash events.

After retiring, she enjoyed quilting, relaxing at Flathead Lake, spending time with family, going on cruises around the world with her husband, reading murder mysteries and history biographies, and sitting on her back porch enjoying the beautiful Montana mornings with a hot cup of tea and her beloved dogs.

Paulette is survived by her husband Jim of the family home, son Aaron and wife Jill of Missoula (Amanda and Randy and 3 great-grandchildren, Joshua and Mallory); daughter Heather of Spokane (Gunnar and Kyra); son Ian and wife Catherine of Michigan (Bishop and Charley), and her corgis Tigen and Ceri.

There will be a service at a later date.