Dolores Massett Ford made her final journey and reached her eternal destination on January 20th, 2022, the day before her 92nd birthday. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 21st, 1930 to the late Dolores Setze Massett and William August Massett. Preceded in death by her beloved husband Alvin F. Ford.
Dolores lived part of her life in Natchez, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana before settling in Metairie, Louisiana in the early 1970s. In the mid-1980s, she moved to Kenner, Louisiana where she lived the remainder of her life.
Dolores lived a very adventurous life. Loving to be on the road in her treasured motor home, she and Alvin toured nearly every state in the U.S. Her love for travel also brought them to over 20 European countries and numerous destinations in the South and Central Americas, Asia-Pacific, and North African regions.
In all her travels, Dolores never just saw the sites, but truly experienced them. From hot air balloon rides, to riding camels in the desert, and zip-lining through the rainforest, Dolores never met an adventure she wasn’t up for.
Work was also a large part of her life. Her career began with the Illinois Central Railroad in Natchez, Mississippi and ended after a 36 year tenure at Tulane University as the Records Assistant in the Office of the Registrar. During her time at Tulane, Dolores garnered a reputation for perfection and participated in over 300 commencement ceremonies, proofreading over 100,000 diplomas.
After retirement from Tulane, Dolores continued to be just as active. She took great pride in her garden and was devout in her faith, serving as Eucharistic minister at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. For many years, she also served as President of a local community social club. Dolores had a particular affinity for card games, especially poker and bridge. She was an exceptionally talented bridge player, having perfected her game over 70+ years, and was the bane of the players in her many bridge clubs.
Dolores was a unique individual with exceptional qualities but above all, she was fiercely independent, honest, and embodied living life to the fullest. She dearly loved her family and was loved by many who met her throughout her lifelong journey.
She will be greatly missed and cherished forever.
Dolores Ford is survived by her four children; Robert Thomas Garrity, Jr. (Debra), Ronald William Garrity (Beverly), Richard LeRoy Garrity (Marla) and Robin Ford Balint (Daniel), ten grandchildren; Amy Garrity Scafidel (Ryan), Ashley Garrity, Holly Garrity, Robert Thomas Garrity, III (Staci), Ryan Ford Garrity, Evan Garrity (Corey), Caitlin Garrity, Daniel Ford Balint, Sydney Balint, Christian Balint, and ten great-grandchildren; Robert, Averi, Alli, Hunter, Tucker and Piper Garrity, Elodie and Elise Scafidel, Ciaran Ford Garrity and Carson Garrity. Also survived by her sister Audrey Massett Martin and brother William A. Massett, Jr.
Dolores was lovingly cared for by Jill and Robert Hitchens and Florence Peyton, for which the family is truly grateful.
Services will be held Friday, January 28, 2022 at Leitz-Eagan Funeral home, 4747 Veterans Blvd. Metairie, Louisiana. Family and friends are invited to visitation beginning at 11:00 A.M., followed by Mass at 1 P.M. Private interment to follow.
Pallbearers: Ryan Ford Garrity, Evan Garrity, Daniel Ford Balint, Christian Balint, Ryan Scafidel, and Robert Hitchens, Sr.
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