JUDITH RUTH FORD

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JUDITH RUTH FORD Peacefully, on the morning of January 8, 2014, just as the sun was rising, God called Judith Ford Home. Judy leaves to cherish her memory her parents, Henry and Jean Ford, brothers Russell, Kevin (Sharon), sister Carrie (Fernando), nieces Aislinn, Jennifer (Daryl), Charlotte, nephews, Daniel and Luke, great-niece and nephew Ashley and Logan, and many close friends. Judy was born March 27, 1954 in Meaford, Ontario. Her childhood was happily lived out in Hamilton, Pembroke and Ottawa, and she graduated from high school in Whitby, Ontario. After graduation, she lived in Scarborough, attended Shaw's Business College, moved back to Ottawa, studied and graduated with a nursing degree, and then was employed at Ottawa Civic Hospital. Judy moved to Winnipeg in the early 1980s, attended Providence Bible College and graduated from the counselling program. After Bible College Judy practised nursing at Misericordia Hospital. Judy made a shift in her career in the mid to late 1980s and worked for the next couple of years at Active Chiropractic. In 1988 Judy suffered an accident that caused paralysis of her legs, and she spent the next 25 years until her passing in a wheelchair. It is from this chair that she lived triumphantly, inspiring everyone she met with her courage and indomitable spirit. Judy accomplished much in the years following her paralysis. After spending time in Rehab to heal and adjust to her new world of paralysis, she continued working part-time at Active Chiropractic and then worked part-time for the next few years at Winnipeg Naturopathic Clinic. Judy was able to fulfill so many of her passions, including volunteering with organizations dear to her heart. In the years following her accident Judy made several trips, driving on her own, to Florida and to southern Ontario to visit her family. Judy viewed her challenges as mere obstacles to be overcome. Over these years she used her musical gifts, playing keyboard and singing in church and caring for many babies and toddlers who loved to be held by her and go for rides on her chair. She became Auntie Judy' to so many little ones. Judy loved to garden and her flower beds were a living tribute to her natural talent for cultivating beauty. She was creative and made everything around her beautiful. Judy was a wealth of knowledge in the area of holistic health and offered caring support and encouragement to so many. She valued her friends and family so much and brought great joy into our lives. Her faith and trust in God was strong and it was this faith that carried her through the challenges she faced, especially as her health declined over the last couple of years. Judy faced each challenge with courage, humour and grace. We, her family and friends, are profoundly saddened at Judy's passing, and yet so thankful for the deep and lasting impact she had on our lives, inspiring each of us to live as fully and joyfully as she did. A celebration of Judy's life was held on January 11. Another memorial service will be held in Judy's honour on Saturday, January 18 at 11:00 a.m. at The Meeting House in Oakville, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crisis Pregnancy Centre, 650 Broadway Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3C 0X3.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2014