Barbara passed away on July 23, 2020, at the age of 89. She was born on October 18, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Margaret and Erwin Bodendoerfer. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother John Bodendoerfer, and her beloved husband of 44 years, John Dorward Ford. She is survived by her daughters Anne (Mike) Hodgson and Katie (Dan) Parker, grandchildren Lauren (Brandon) Robinson and Nick Parker, and great granddaughter, Cadence Robinson.
Anyone who met Barbara knew her love of all things. Wisconsin, especially the city of Milwaukee, her family home on Okauchee Lake, and the Green Bay Packers. At age four she began her training as a classical pianist. While raising her family, she used her gift of music to teach piano to many students out of her home. Her love of classical music was a comfort to her throughout her life, but especially so in her final years and days. Barbara was always active in her church and Bridge groups, and enjoyed traveling with friends and family. This continued after she and her husband retired to Mills River, NC where they lived for several years until his passing in 2003. Barbara then moved to Texas to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
The family is extremely grateful to the staff and care partners at Harbor Chase Plano, particularly those in the Cove, for the compassion and kindness they showed Barbara even when her feisty side got the better of her. They are also forever indebted to the nurses from Ardent Hospice who cared for her during her final months and were able to help her pass peacefully with comfort and dignity.
There will be no public visitation. The family will have a private memorial and internment service for her. In lieu of flowers, they request that donations in Barbara’s name be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Dallas at 3001 Knox St. #200, Dallas, Texas 75205 or act.alz.org/donate.
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