Obituary of Carmel McDougall

On June 8, 1939, Ellen Ferguson welcomed her daughter, Carmel Barbara Ferguson, into the world in Jamaica, West Indies. Carmel grew up in the Walton Park area, attending St. Joseph's Girls School from kindergarten until age 15. She enjoyed studying home economics, sewing, math, and English. Outside of school, she loved spending time with friends, going to the movies, and attending sporting events.

After graduating at age 15, Carmel began working as a clerk at the Jamaica Post Office. A few years later, she migrated to Canada, where she continued her education and earned certification as a dietitian. Soon after, she joined her mother in Brooklyn, New York.

In Brooklyn, Carmel began her career as a dietitian at Caledonian Hospital. It was also here that she met a young, ambitious man named Eric McDougall. After three years of courtship, they married in 1963. Carmel and Eric shared a love of music, food, and connecting with family and friends. In 1971, they settled in Roosevelt, Long Island, where they raised their family and welcomed countless friends and loved ones into their home. In their home, everyone who entered as a friend left as family.

Carmel’s love language was cooking, a passion she shared with everyone she met. Whether at home, at work as a dietitian in nursing homes across Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, or catering events, her meals were prepared with love and care, never hesitating to nourish others.

Deeply spiritual, Carmel was devoted to her faith and serving God. She became a committed member of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, where she was actively involved in many committees and ministries, including the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, QMHR Outreach, Kindergarten Teacher’s Aide, the Altar Rosary Society, the Seniors Club, the Bereavement Ministry, the Bible Study Group, the Ministry to the Catholics of African Ancestry, and even part-time groundskeeper until she fell ill in 2020.

Carmel had a special love for children, and her home always welcomed them with open arms. She believed that every child should come home to a warm hug and a hearty snack. This philosophy led her to become a beloved childcare provider in her community. Though she birthed four children, her love extended far beyond, and many more grew up feeling like her own.

Carmel was a loving mother and friend, known for her unwavering kindness and devotion to her family and community. She was predeceased by her mother, Ellen Ferguson, and her brother-in-law, Dennis Lawson. She is survived by Eric McDougall (spouse); siblings: Nina Lawson, Sylvester (Winnie) McCoy, and Reynold Peters ; her children: Michael (Amber), Nichole, Pierre, and David McDougall;  grandchildren: Nicholas Mullings (Laura), Daniel McDougall, Anthony Bolasingh, Sydney Mullings, Brittany Lynton, Ciara Lynton, Jahlani McDougall, Marley McDougall, Shane Russell, Devin Russell, Elmina Angrand, Kaila McDougall, Aiden McDougall, and Zayne McDougall; and great-grandchildren: Daniel Mullings and Joseph Mullings; along with host of nieces and nephews and a community of families she cared for and loved.