Joan E. Ford

Joan E. (Bender) Ford, of Fairfield, passed away December 22, 2020 peacefully at home. 90 years of age and born in Bridgeport, she was the daughter of the late John C. Bender and Catherine I. (Clark) Bender. A graduate of Roger Ludlowe High School, Joan was a cheerleader and voted Most Popular by the class of ‘48. It was at this time that she first met the love of her life, the Captain of the Fairfield Prep football team. After graduating from high school, she went on to work at the New England Bell Telephone Company. She then married that football captain, John C. Ford, in November of 1951, and from that day on dedicated her life to being a wife and mother, raising a family of thirteen children.  Joan is predeceased by her husband, John, and her sons John, Timothy, and Rev. Thomas Ford. She is survived by her children, Cathy and Chuck Frissora of Sudbury, MA, Martha and Andy Radovic of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Chris Ford of Portland, OR, David Ford of Bridgeport, Mary and Jeff Hannon of North Berwick, ME, Ellen and Brian House of Scituate, MA, Mark Ford of Fairfield, Matthew Ford and Jose Carvalho of Boston, MA, Julie Ford of Fairfield and Patrick and Tai Ford of Daufuskie Island, SC. She also leaves behind the blessing of 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Joan was a woman of profound faith, enjoyed serving as a Eucharistic Minister, as well as singing with the chorus at the Gaelic American Club, with a signature laugh and warmth of personality that made all who knew her feel accepted and at home. She enjoyed classic movies, lunches at the Fayerweather Yacht Club and life-long friendships that she and her husband had maintained since their high school days. Funeral services will Monday at 11:00am Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Rd., Fairfield with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may greet Joan’s family in the church on Monday morning 10 - 11am. Visitors are asked to wear masks and social distance as they walk through, pay their respects, and exit in a timely manner to ensure all guests can come through before Mass begins. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution, in memory of Joan E. Ford to Bridge House, at www.bridgehousect.org. To send online condolences, please visit www.redgatehennessy.com.

Our Lady of the Assumption Church is offering the Funeral Mass virtually by going to:

https://meet.google.com/oct-ivgy-ftn