Nancy M. Ford

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Nancy M. Ford, age 83, passed away on Saturday, April 21 in San Antonio, TX. She was born on August 13, 1934, Ladonia, TX to Charles Merrill and Frances Morgan.

Nancy grew up in Northeast and West Texas, moving frequently due to her father’s work with Southern Life - Ranch and Agriculture Division. She attended several colleges including Texas State College for Women (now Texas Women’s University), East Texas State, and the University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, she met the love of her life, Don Henry (Hank) Ford, on a blind date. They soon were married and began what would become a 62-year journey together, spanning two continents, 21 different homes, bearing and raising a family of five children, and sharing a lifetime of adventure. Throughout this adventure, Nancy lovingly managed a household, often on the move and full of children, and also simultaneously performing the duties of a reluctant bookkeeper, paralegal, oil and gas administrator, while attending and hosting government and company functions. Upon returning to the U.S., Nancy resumed her academic pursuits, attending Sam Houston State and Hardin Simmons Universities, graduating from Sam Houston with a BA in English and a teaching certificate. She continued her life’s true vocation as a housewife and mother, helping to raise 12 grandchildren, and adoring 16 great-grandchildren.

Those who knew Nancy would come to understand the true nobility of the vocation of a housewife and mother, a pursuit she dignified by her devotion to her family. She was a devout Christian and a graceful witness to God throughout her life. Nancy and Hank began their spiritual journey in their Methodist and Baptist roots, ultimately finding a home in the Catholic faith early in their married life and remaining active in the Church throughout her life.

Nancy/Mom/Nanny/Abuelita, as she was affectionately known to all, had a zest for life. She loved to write letters, tend gardens, take long walks, visit with friends, sing in church, play the piano, cook for her family, and travel the world with Hank. She was lover of movies, particularly musicals, an incurable romantic, an accidental tourist, with an insatiable appetite for engaging with everyone she met. She never met a stranger.

Nancy Lee Merrill Ford, wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, was loved by all, and will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Frances Merrill; and her brother, Charles M. Merrill. She is survived by her husband, Don H. Ford; her sons: Don Ford Jr., and wife Leah, Bill Ford and wife Cindy, Pat Ford and wife Cristina, Kyle Ford and wife Julie and Ruthie Ford; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

MASS

TUESDAY, MAY 1

12:00 P.M., noon

ST. ANTHONY DE PADUA CATHOLIC CHURCH

102 LORENZ

SAN ANTONIO, TX

Fr. Kevin Shanahan will officiate. Interment will be private.

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com

Arrangements with

PORTER LORING MORTUARY

1101 McCULLOUGH AVE.

SAN ANTONIO, TX 78212 – (210) 227-8221

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