Elizabeth M. Ford

Elizabeth “Betty” Ford left us on July 25, 2024, in Brewster, NY, surrounded by her family and her best friend. Her pain is gone, she is with God, and for those who knew her she will be remembered for her strength, courage, kindness, and resiliency.

Betty was born in New York City on October 26, 1936. After the tragic loss of both her parents at a young age, Betty and her sister Katherine grew up at St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Peekskill, NY. Upon leaving the orphanage, Betty lived with her dear cousin Kate and her family, until marrying NYC Police Officer Patrick Ford on April 28, 1962 and moving back to Peekskill in 1965 after the birth of their first child. There, Betty and her husband Patrick continued growing their family, having two more children.

Devastatingly, Betty lost the love of her life in 1970, becoming a widow, and moved with her three children to Coachlight Square in Montrose, NY. Betty raised her children and lived for 50+ years at Coachlight until moving to Keystone Assisted Living in Danbury, CT in December 2021, and finally to her son’s home in Brewster, NY.

Betty lived for her family and for the friends she considered family. She was the proud mother of Patrick (Marisol), Michael (Marie), and Kathleen (Randy), and adored her seven grandchildren, Ryan, Kaitlin, William, Elizabeth, Megan, Patrick, and Liam, and her sister’s son/nephew, George.

Her joy was in attending the many sporting events and activities of her children and grandchildren, and she herself was an avid walker, participating in many 5k events and logging hundreds of miles on the track at Hendrick Hudson High School. She was “that Mom” loudly cheering on her kids/grandkids from the stands – she loved every minute of it and cherished every accomplishment!

Betty relished her Irish heritage and was always ready for a celebration! She was blessed to have many close friends from her old neighborhood in Peekskill, the Young Marines, Coachlight, Maryknoll, and Keystone, as well as becoming friends with many of her children’s friends.

After focusing on raising her children while they were young, Betty went on to have a successful career at Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers where she worked in data processing for 20+ years.

Betty is predeceased by her husband, Patrick, and sister, Katherine. She valued her family and her faith above all else and will be missed greatly by all who knew her.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, August 1 from 5-8 pm at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, 170 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose, NY 10548. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Friday, August 2 at 11 am at St. Francis Chapel at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 W Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In remembrance of Betty’s life, her family asks that in lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation: (https://t2t.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/In-Memory-of-Online-Form_Interactive-Online-Form.pdf

Please also consider joining Betty’s family and friends in the 2024 Tunnel to Towers 5k Run on September 29 in NYC. Team name: “Betty’s Rye and Ginger”. https://nycrun.t2t.org/