Barbara W. Ford Obituary

FRAMINGHAM – Barbara Waugh Ford, 93, a lifelong resident of Framingham, and formerly of Palm Bay, Florida, was called home to our Lord on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Framingham.

She was the beloved bride of Robert Martin “Bob” Ford of Framingham, to whom she had been married for 43 years until he was born to eternal life on April 5, 2000.

Barbara was a bit of a firecracker. She was intelligent, caring, strong, funny, dedicated, and she never sat still. She preferred the term “well-informed” to nosy and at least half of her was made up entirely of black coffee–as hot as you could get it in a mug. Barbara had a great laugh with a mischievous twinkle in her beautiful seafoam green eyes. 

Born in Framingham, she was the cherished youngest child of the late William James “Jack” and Mary Alice (Tibbert) Waugh and the adored baby sister of the late William J. Waugh, Leonard C. Waugh, and Marjorie (Waugh) Erico. 

Barbara was a graduate of St. Stephen’s School and Sacred Heart School in Newton, MA Class of 1948. She also attended Burdette College, Boston.

Barbara was employed with The Department of the Navy at the Pentagon, Dennison Manufacturing, St. Stephen’s Rectory, McCarthy Elementary School, Attorney John Acton, The Juvenile Court, and The South Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, from where she retired in December 1987.

In the mid-1960’s her husband decided to run for a town meeting seat and needed her help to gather the required signatures. Deciding she should run as well, Barbara obtained signatures for both of them, which began a lifetime of service to the community she loved. 

Barbara served as an elected representative of Precinct 13, a Member of the Standing Committee of Education and more. She was elected to the Edgell Grove Cemetery Board of Trustees, serving for over 25 years. Barbara was a long-time member and past president of the Emblem Club and second-generation participant in the Framingham Heart Study. 

Over the years, Barbara would often be seen waving a bright red purse during many  town meetings to ensure that the moderator or board chair wouldn’t miss her 5’1” self. She came to these meetings with legal pads full of notes prepared and eager to participate. Her community-mindedness was acknowledged when she was selected as a Grand Marshall of the Framingham Flag Day Parade.

Barbara’s religious faith was a central focus in her life. She was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Church in Framingham where she found great strength and comfort. With a thankful heart for gifts received, she served St. Stephen’s as a teacher of religious education, a member of the Finance Committee (until 2020), and was the one to call on if the church needed something.  She was also a communicant of Our Lady of Grace Church, Palm Bay Florida, and Saint Christopher’s Parish, Peaks Island, Maine.

Barbara is survived by one son, John Gerard “Gerry” Ford and Nancy (Flynn) Sherman of West Yarmouth, three daughters, Tara M. (Ford) Ward of Framingham, Sharon F. (Ford) Bonner and her husband, Scott (Barbara’s second son), of Millbury, and Hilary A. Ford of Hopkinton; six grandchildren, Veronica (Ward) (John) Craven, Robert (Sandra) Ford, John Patrick “Pat” (Natalie) Ford, Danielle (Ford) Fuoss, Sarah Bonner, and Stephen Bonner;  six great grandchildren, Nathan, Brianna, Kiley, Grant, Kaylynn, and Aiden. She is also survived by Jane T. Ford, one cousin, Mary (Tibbert) Christensen of Goffstown, NH and several adored nieces and nephews.

In addition to her siblings, Barbara was predeceased by her son-in-law Sgt. David A. Ward, U.S. Army, brother-in-law Richard Erico, sisters-in-law Clare Waugh and Marguerite Waugh, and her best forever friend Kathryn “Kay” (Lavin) Ferri She was also a member of and predeceased by a group of childhood friends know as The Golden Girls (Kay, Janet, Pat, Palsy, Jean, Ginny) and her favorite dog of all time, Daisy.

The family would like to thank the Sisters of Saint Joseph and all the wonderful staff at Bethany Healthcare that provided her with the greatest care and compassion these last four years.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a time of visitation at the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St. (Corner of Union Ave.) Framingham on Monday October 7, 2024 from 9:30-10:30AM. Followed by her funeral Mass at Saint Stephen’s Church, Concord St, Framingham at 11:00AM. Burial will be private at a later date at Edgell Grove Cemetery, Framingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made either to St. Stephen’s Parish, 221 Concord St., Framingham, MA 01702, or to Bethany Health Care Center, 97 Bethany Rd., Framingham, MA 01702 in memory of Barbara Waugh Ford.