Marie E. (Fritz) Ford
Marie E. Ford, age 95, of Erie, PA, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 23, 2021 in hospice care at Sarah Reed Senior Living, Erie, PA.
She was born in Loudonville, OH, in April of 1926, to the late Herman and Myrtle (Kline) Fritz. She had 2 sisters, Sarah (Joseph) Cvelbar, and Kathryn (Robert) Kapp, all who preceded her in death.
She met the love of her life, Clifton G. Ford of Brookville, PA where they married on September 20, 1942, and raised a family of 7 children. They later settled in Harborcreek, PA. Her husband, her daughter, Patricia Himes, and her son, Gregory Ford preceded her in death.
Her love of gardening and her green thumb earned her the nickname of “The Plant Manager”. She loved crocheting and knitting and was always making something for her family or baby blankets for charity.
She enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends all across the USA. She visited 49 of the 50 states, all but North Dakota. She camped at many state parks and historic sites along the way. With family she traveled to England, Holland, Belgium, Hadrian’s Wall, Mexico, Germany, Russia, Thailand, Hawaii and Alaska.
Many people loved her. She was affectionately known as “Mudderbear” for her fierce protection of her beloved family. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was able to meet and hold all of them. She was an active member of Kingsley United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her children, Penelope Craig of Lake Forest, CA, Valerie (Page) Smithwick of Lake Elsinore, CA, Jerilyn Ford of Worcester, MA, Clifton (Pennie) Ford of Erie, PA, and Eric (Na) Ford of Erie, PA. There are 8 surviving grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Kingsley United Methodist Church, 913 Cranberry St., Erie, PA 16502, for viewing, on Wednesday, July 28 from 11:00 AM until the Funeral Service at 1:00 PM, conducted by Pastor Kim Hummel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Erie United Methodist Alliance, (EUMA) www.euma-erie.org.
Private interment will be at Lakelawn Memorial Park, 51 Lakelawn Road, Reynoldsville, PA.