Obituaries

Darlene I. Ford, 95

October 19, 2016

Darlene I. Ford, 95, of Millersville passed away October 19, 2016 after a fruitful life. She cherished even though her family mother and father Goldie and Oliver McGahuey and three siblings, Rita Cumpston, Maxine Payton and brother Don (all deceased) were faced with hard times during the depression years. Born April 6, 1921, on a farm in southern Iowa, Darlene had to be a trailblazer of her generation to overcome the poverty that existed all around the family.

She was a teacher, her dream, in an Iowa rural school from 1939-1942. After having worked in a defense plant during WWII and 2 ½ years serving her country as a Yeoman 3rd Class with the US Coast Guard Spar (1943-45), she married Robert N. Ford on June 12, 1945.

Robert also was a teacher who had weathered the depression and the devoted couple never stopped striving for more higher education until Robert had completed a Ph. D degree from the University of Chicago and Darlene a Masters in Education from Temple University.

After several moves during their marriage from New York to Iowa, Chicago and Miami where Robert taught at the young University of Miami and Darlene at Miami Senior High School, they chose Millersville, PA as their final home where Robert retired from Millersville University in 1985 and Darlene retired from the Penn Manor School District in 1981.

Darlene was always active in the community, especially at the University where she established endowments to help students, saw that a needed atrium became a reality in McComsey Hall, always supported the Fine Arts Programs at both the Ware and Winter Centers. She was a member of the Blue Mt. Military Women serving as secretary for many years, a member of MU Campus Club since 1957 having served both as president and treasurer. She spearheaded a drive to establish a large Campus Club Endowment which provides financial help to three worthy students, and she was a loyal member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Millersville where she sang in the choir besides being on the greeter committee for many years.

Although Robert and Darlene had no children, from their early life to elderly years, they were always helpful to financially unfortunate children. After Robert’s death in 1996, Darlene became a surrogate mother to Mery Soto Pumil from Lima, Peru in 2001 and is considered for adopted daughter along with Mery’s husband Duane Harner and their two daughters Maya and Megan. In addition to Mery, she still has many living descendants – nieces and nephews throughout the USA.

A memorial service will be held at 1 PM in honor of Darlene on October 23, 2016 at the McComsey Hall in the Ford Atrium of Millersville University with a reception following. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be sent to Campus Club Endowment, Millersville University

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Condolences to the Family

November 05, 2016

Dear Mery, Duane, Maya, and Megan,
We were so sorry to hear of Darlene’s passing. We knew Darlene all the years we were at Millersville. She helped keep the Campus Club and the scholarship going all those years. She was wonderful for having me stay with her the last 2 and 1/2 years of my teaching at Millersville. We enjoyed each other’s company and I got to meet Maya and you, Mery at Darlene’s house. She was so fond of all of you. Take care.
Sincerely,

Cathy and Tom Greco

October 29, 2016

Mrs. Ford was my Spanish teacher, mentor and life long friend. I wil miss her Christmas card this year. She was a fine woman and always gave to others. She will be missed. Her memorial service was a great tribute to her life. Karen Fralich

October 29, 2016

I’m very saddened to learn that Mrs. Ford has passed away. I owe my entire family of wife, 7 children, and 9 grandchildren to Mrs. Ford. In 1974 she arranged for me to come to PA and stay with the Alecxih family as a summer exchange student. In 1976 I enrolled in my senior year at Penn Manor. I didn’t find out until later that Mrs. Ford had been paying for my lunch card all year. She was a wonderful teacher, and she will be greatly missed. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Sergio Youmans, Lynnville TN

October 24, 2016

I knew Mrs. Ford when she was a teacher at Penn Manor. I also knew her from the Opera Company. She always had a kind word for everyone. Ann Conroy Humer

October 21, 2016

Extending our deepest sympathy to Darlene’s family.Darlene was quite a charachter, we loved to hear the stories she would tell of her life and adventures.She and Bob were happy to have visitors and were excellent tour guides.They enjoyed life.We have many fond memories of them both.May she rest in peace.
Larry and Mary Ann Burke family (Mary Ann daughter of Marcia Ford Smith-(sister of Bob Ford)
Marcia

October 21, 2016

Very sad news about Aunt Darlene, condolences to Mery and her family, as Darlene always spoke so proudly of her fondness for them and her pride in their accomplishments. The Iowa neices and nephews will surely miss our regular updates on the family that Darlene was so very much responsible for and her lively phone conversations were an important lifeblood in keeping us all connected.Cheryl McGrathNiece – daughter of Marian, who was Roberts older sister

October 21, 2016

Mrs. Ford was a devoted friend of our family since we arrived in the United States in 1975. We had the utmost love and respect for her as a teacher and as a person we could always turn to for support and guidance. We will miss her very much and will always honor her memory.
Mai Dang and Rich Cairo

October 21, 2016

From Argentina, we accompany you with a prayer in your way to the house of our eternal Father. We will always grateful to both of you for opening you home to us being young students and also for your generosity to us. With love, Ricardo(Quique)Digravio and Silvio(Silvester)Esposito

October 21, 2016

I was sorry to learn of our friend Darlenes passing. She was a good friend to my mother, the late Marijane Landis, and a friend to me. We enjoyed many good times together through the years. My sympathy to her family at this time. I cannot attend the service Sunday I have a rehearsal for my concert with the Lancaster chorale. Darlene attended my concerts with my motherwhen she was able to. I will miss her. Sincerely Cindy Landis Bonham

October 21, 2016

I want to extend my condolences on the passing of Darlene Ford to her adopted family and many relatives. Darlene was my friend over many years and was a most generous and kind person. She will be missed but lived a very full life with positive impacts on many people.
Gary Hovinen

Services: Sunday, October 23, 2016; 1:00 PM; McComsey Hall in the Ford Atrium of Millersville University; E. Frederick St. at Creek Dr.; Millersville, PA 17551
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