Mrs. Bernice E. Ford

Let us remember the life and ministry of Bernice E. Ford, 94, of Middletown, NY, who died on Monday, January 7, 2019. Bernice was the widow of Rev. Newton B. Ford, who served the New York Conference for 30 years and died in 2000.

The daughter of the late Ward and Bertha Freese VanLoan, Bernice was born on January 13, 1924 in East Jewett, NY. She and Newton were high school sweethearts. They were married in 1944, when Newton was on furlough during World War II. While Newton served overseas, Bernice worked in a clothing factory supporting the war effort.

Bernice assisted her husband and played the organ in the various churches Rev. Ford served, including Callicoon, Fremont Center, Hankins, North Branch, Grahamsville, Sundown, Highland Mills, Mountainville, Stamford and Harpersfield, all in the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions of New York. She was an avid music box collector. Newton retired in 1992 and he and Bernice moved to Middletown, NY.

Survivors include her daughter, Nadine S. Bravo and her husband, Joseph, of Central Valley, NY; and her son, Neil R. Ford, of Pine Bush, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Christine Wood and her husband, Eric; Cynthia Ladanyi and her husband, Christopher; and Catherine White and her husband, Nicholas; and by her great-grandchildren, Ryan Wood and Ethan Ladanyi, and three nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 12:30pm at the Highland Mills UMC, 654 Route 32, Highland Mills, NY. Immediately following the service all are invited to share memories in the church community room from 1:00-2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Highland Mills UMC Food Pantry at 654 Route 32, Highland Mills, NY 10930.