Obituaries
Marcia L. Ford
December 26, 1939 - July 9, 2019
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VISITATION
July 27, 2019 | 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. -
St. Charles Congregational United Church of Christ
40W451 Fox Mill Boulevard
Campton Hill, Illinois - Memorial Service
- July 27, 2019 | 1:00 P.M.
-
St. Charles Congregational United Church of Christ
40W451 Fox Mill Boulevard
Campton Hill, Illinois -
Burial Location
Private
Surrounded by her loving family, Marcia L. Ford, age 79, passed away on July 9 after a courageous battle with ALS. She was born in Macomb, Illinois on December 26, 1939 and was the daughter of Herman and Ruth (Fairchild) Higginson.
Marcia attended Girard High School where she was active in many sports and activities. She attended Blackburn College where she met and later married her husband and soul mate, Glen Ford. After marriage the couple moved to Geneva, Illinois.
A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Marcia began her teaching career in St. Charles District 303, first at Richmond and Wild Rose Schools, and ended her 33 year career as a 6th grade teacher at Thompson Middle School. She loved teaching, was adored by her students and respected by her colleagues. She was active in St Charles Education Association, Illinois Education Association and National Education Association. She was the co founder of Fox Valley Retired Educators.
After retirement she and Glen were able to travel and took several great road trips with as well as many cruises with many good friends.
Marcia loved competition! She was the pitcher and her husband, Glen was the coach when the Lassies won the National Tournament in 1977. From eventing with her horses, playing softball with the Lassies, playing golf and even in such things as playing bridge, she approached with the spirit to win.
She loved adventure! At age 78 even as ALS was ravaging her body, she went tubing and had her daughters not said, “no, end of discussion”, she would have checked sky diving off her bucket list.
She loved her animals, Sophie Pug, George (cat) and her horse, Tidbit with whom at age 68 she was still fox hunting with her granddaughter, Bailey.
She delighted in watching her daughters grow up and cheered them on through all their high school and college competitions She was able to fulfill her greatest desire to see her granddaughter Bailey play basketball during her senior year at Carthage College and to graduate as the 4th generation teacher in her family.
Marcia had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. She laughed easily and often. She truly believed that “the most utterly lost of all days is that in which you have not once laughed.”
Marcia had a full and rewarding life, a soul mate husband, a wonderful family and many great friends and cherished animals. She met the challenges of her life with grace and dignity particularly the loss of her husband in 2015, the diagnosis of ALS in 2016 and the fire which destroyed her home in 2017. She was grateful for all the love and support from the members of the Congregational UCC as well as from all her friends from many places during her battle with ALS.
She is survived by her daughters, Jody (Jack) Anderson, Jamie Ford, and her granddaughter, Bailey Gilbert. She is preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Jim.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 27 at the Congregational United Church of Christ 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. in Campton Hills. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm with a memorial service at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Les Turner Foundation, 5550 W. Touhy, Suite 302, Skokie, Illinois 60077-3254
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Laura E Prowicz from Hampshire, IL
"Marcia was such fun, I still remember riding w her at Sapphire Hills back in the day doing the Ladies Late Night jump lesson. Tidbit was an awesome horse. I wish I could be at the visitation/service but will be attending Pony Club Championships in NC that weekend. My condolences to the family, Marcia was a great lady."
Kay Anderson from Taos , NM
"Marcia (Rabbit) was a very special woman. And at the end of her life, she was an incredible example of strength, passion and love. To know her was to love her. Rest In Peace, dear one."
Tammi K from New Berlin, WI
"Marcia, you have accomplished so many amazing adventures in your life with your family and friends by your side. May you be just as spunky and free as you loved to be but enjoying yourself even more so now! I have heard so many wonderful stories about you from Jamie. She has painted such a beautiful picture of you. Even though I did not have the pleasure of meeting you myself, I feel as I know you just the same. You have raised your daughters to be just as strong and beautiful as you. Thank you for sharing your radiant smile, your energy and being such a blessing everyones lives. May love and peace surround you always."
Dauby Farlow from Landrum, SC
"Marcia was always a ray of sunshine with a hugh smile when she visited the Doubeks in SC. She always made me feel like I had been her friend forever. She loved life, her family and her friends. She gave so much of herself to all she met... an inspiration. God Bless Marcia and Glenn..together again. May they enjoy the rest of time together seeking the next adventure."
Cheryl and Al lee from St charles, IL
"She is such a memoriable person. Have many fun thoughts of her and her antics. Always had to bring my sausage dip to her birthday party the day after Xmas. Will miss your smiling face."
Jo Sauve from Melbourne Beach , FL
"Rabbit, You will always have a cherished place in my heart. You will always be remembered for the kindness, the love you shared and the happiness you brought to all of us . And lots of fun and sweat and tears with the Lassies! I am blessed to have had you as a coach , a teammate and a wonderful friend . RIP sweet Rabbit. I love you ."
Vicki Sears from St. Charles, IL
"Marcia was always an amazing woman who faced any and all adversities with such strength! I was blessed to get to know her and work with her in SCEA years ago! Everyone who knew her, D303 colleagues, and students were all blessed by her in their lives! Praying for her family and friends to feel God’s love, comfort, and peace!"
Sue Sander from Lombard, IL
"Jody & Family, you have my most sincere condolences. Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady & will be beautifully remembered."
Amy Jackson from Chocowinity , NC
"Marcia’s dedication to the Illinois Education Association, students and educators, made a long-lasting impact. Her energy and spirit were inspirational. She will be missed.we shared many interests—fox hunting and horseback riding, North Carolina, the IEA, SCEA, and teaching in wonderful St. Charles. Sincere condolences to her family—may her love and enthusiasm continue to shine through you all."
Mary Lou ( Wurtz) Miller from Genoa, IL
"My sympathy and prayers to Marcia's family. Met her through Glen, as we were classmates at Geneva. Always enjoyed our visits and her spirit."
Jim Hupke from DeKalb, IL
"She was such a dear friend who always was on the go and seemed tireless. We had many adventures and great times in our teaching careers. I miss her smile and laughter."
Jo sauve from Melbourne Beach , FL
"Rabbit You will always have a place in my heart, you will always be remembered for the kindness, the love you shared and the happiness you brought to all the of us . I am blessed to have had you as a coach , a teammate and a dear friend . We shared a lot of sweat and dirt , tears , victories and memories together as Lassies. Heaven just got another special Angel. I love you Rabbit ❤️"
Todd Evanson from Elgin, IL
"Great lady! She will be missed at FVSA very much!"
Val Seldon from Citrus Heights , CA
"Sweet Marcia. You will be remembered as a wonderful mother and wife, a terrific athlete and a dear friend. RIP Rabbit. 💕"
Laura K. from Frisco, TX
"Mrs. Ford was my 6th grade Social Studies teacher at Thompson back in 1992. She was a wonderful teacher and I enjoyed her class very much. Prayers to her family and friends."
Anne Pruitt from Batavia, IL
"I am so glad I got to See Marcia at the last Lassie Reunion. She was always fun to be around--whether I was playing on the same team or as an opponent! She will truly be missed."
Gene Craig from Lincolnshire, IL
"I first met Marcia through IEA Board Meetings and continued that relationship through many years and my wife, Helen and I had the pleasure of sharing a cruise with a group she organized to Alaska. Marcia was a dedicated advocate for public school education and will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. My sympathy to her family and friends."
Travis Brown from Cypress, TX
"Mrs Ford was my 6th grade Social Studies teacher at Thompson. She and I had a few “special” talks in the hall, but I remember her being positive to me and her saying she believed in me. I appreciate her and reading all the great joys she had in her life. What a great lady and a life of giving to so many."
Shelley Ellerston from Pella, IA
"I remember my folks speaking very warmly about Marcia, and very possibly part of her teaching experience was spent with my Dad as a principal and/or administrator. My sympathy to the family."
Jackie Crusing Ramirez from Zanesville , OH
"My sincere condolences to the Ford family. My heart breaks at this news, as I have such great memories of Marcia (or Rabbit, as she was affectionately known to her Lassies teammates). Marcia went from being my 5th grade teacher to a coach, teammate and friend on the Lassies. She was such a joy to be around and her love of teaching was bestowed on all her students. Rest In Peace dear angel."
Liz Berkos from St. Charles, IL
"Jody and Jamie, Your mom was such an active person, and she was always so supportive of your riding. She loved you both so much, and life was never dull when your mom was around. I know you will miss her terribly, and my prayers go out to you both."
Liz Berkos from St. Charles, IL
"Jody and Jamie, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your mom was always so supportive in your riding endeavors, and I knew that if I asked her to do something with our 4-H club, she'd get it done. She was such an active person. She will be missed so much."
Jean Miller-Larson from Columbus, GA
"Marcia will always be know as “Rabbit” to me. I followed her and the Fox Valley Lassies for years until being asked to join the team. She had so much energy and spunk. She was greatly admired. As in life, she will be held in the hearts of many. RIP"
Sharon Carney from St. Charles, IL
"Marcia was such a pillar of strength and integrity. I was privileged to have known her as a colleague while teaching at Thompson Middle School. Her students were lucky to have Mrs. Ford as their teacher as she truly was dedicated to her profession and the children. I am so sorry Marcia had to endure the ravages of ALS. RIP dear Marcia. Your zest for life and love of family will be forever remembered."
Patrick White from Geneva, IL
"Mrs. Ford was an amazing Teacher when I had her in 6th Grade, always going above and beyond to encourage her students to do the very best. Every time I saw her I would laugh or grin because she was constantly telling stories and I believed for it to be entertaining. My love and prayers go out to her family."
Dave Peterson from Gilbert, AZ
"So many memories of your mom that make me laugh. She was such a great lady. Very sorry for your loss."