Obituary of Jeanette Elizabeth Ford

Jeanette Elizabeth Ford (a.k.a. Grandma Jan) May 18, 1930 – May 26, 2016 Jeanette Elizabeth Harris, a.k.a. Grandma Jan, was born on May 18,1930. From her humble beginnings in Plattesmouth, Nebraska, having lost her mother when she was almost four years old and with her Dad working tirelessly in his dry cleaning business to support his only child, Mom developed her independence and survival skills. This skill set would serve her well for the remainder of her incredible life. Mom moved with her father to Colorado and graduated from South High School. She was active in high school playing on several sports teams. She participated in basketball, softball, tennis, swimming, ski club, and She met and fell in love with Joe Ford. They were soon married and had six children, five of whom are still alive. Mom was a domestic goddess, running this busy household of seven (with only one bathroom!). She managed all the grocery shopping, meal preparations, laundry, plus nurtured and loved her growing children. She would oversee homework and school projects, as well as support the various activities each child participated in throughout their elementary, middle school, and high school careers. Faced with the many challenges which accompany a divorce, Mom’s life journey took another turn. She needed to find a job outside the home to provide food and housing for the family she was now raising on her own. She enrolled in shorthand classes offered at night at Emily Griffith Opportunity School. She would leave her day job, then become a student at night, yet aways fulfilling her duties as a Mom. Mom worked at Spears Chiropractic Hospital, and then Woodward Clyde Consultants. She became a financial wizard, paying bills and scrimping enough for piano lessons to help her daughters pursue their passion. She continued to pay costly tuition for Catholic school education for the kids. Mom definitely gave her all for her children! There was always a tennis match, a choir performance, a school muscial production, a speech club competition, a football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, or softball game to attend or fundraiser stand to operate, or cheerleading or pom pom contest to attend. Mom would be there to support her child and the team! As the Ford Kids started leaving the nest and entering the work world or going off to college, Mom became more and more involved in her passion - tennis. She competed on the National circuit and was often crowned the champion at local, regional, state, and national competitions. She competed and medalled in the Senior Olympics. Mom watched as each of her offspring found and married their life partners. Mom sewed Kathleen’s wedding dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses for all her daughters’ weddings. She was instrumental in creating and designing reception decorations for each of the celebrations. Then came the Grandchildren. Will, that adorable little tow-head, was the first blessed addition to the family. He was soon joined by Melanie, Miranda, Sean, Ryan, Nathan, Shannon, and Hillary, and a myriad of Grand Puppies over the years, too! Breast cancer was the next villain in Mom’s life. But her active lifestyle and exuberance for life and family were more than equal to the threat. She beat it! She was a survivor! Grandma Jan hosted sleepovers with her Grandchildren, and preschool playdates, complete with a dip in the pool, macaroni and cheese, and otter pops! As the Grandkids grew older, she offered to take the Doherty Grandchildren on vacation getaways with the Ford Family. She continued her travels with the Ford family to support the soccer, volleyball, and football/baseball players outside Colorado. She rarely missed a scouting event, swim or track meet, tennis or soccer match, or baseball or football game when at home. Mom traveled the world with her family, her tennis friends, and the Ports of Call travel group she joined. She volunteered at the Aurora Medical Center Gift Shop and provided sixteen years of dedicated service. Mom’s final challenge was one she could not defeat: Alzheimer’s. While she tried to beat the wicked disease, it stole her memory and finally her will Great Grandma Jan has two beautiful great granddaughters. Mom was able to watch and delight in the active antics of Rylee. She met two week old Kaitlyn Marie with the aid of technology, through a facebook chat. The two newest members of the Ford clan will learn all about this wondrous woman we call Mom, Grandma Jan, and Hero, as we recant her tales of accomplishments and family love for many years to come! In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Denver Hospice or Alzheimer’s Association in Mom’s Memory. Recitation of the Rosary will be 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Parish in Parker, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Charitable donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Association 455 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver CO 80203 Tel: 1-303-813-1669 Web: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1& The Denver Hospice 501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 700, Denver CO 80246 Tel: 1-303-321-2828 Web: https://secure3.convio.net/tdh/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1300&1300.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr00 Service Information