Mary Ann Ford

Mary Ann (Jenkin) Ford died in Wenatchee on March 21. She was born at Wenatchee's old Deaconess Hospital, the only child of Earle W. and Savena T. Jenkin of Waterville, Washington, second generation descendants of the pioneers who settled Grant and Douglas Counties. During her Waterville school years, she played the piano for school musicals, graduations, Rainbow and was pianist for the Federated Church.. She was a sixty-year member of Harmony Chapter OES. She was valedictorian of her high school graduation class. Mary Ann entered Whitman College, where she graduated with AB in mathematics. She was a sister of Alpha Phi Sorority. She earned a master's degree and principal's credential in education at Western Washington University. Her career began as a high school math teacher at Arlington High School. She was a master mathematics teacher in Irvine, California where she taught K-8 math. She retired from Stanwood, Washington, where she was an elementary school principal. Mary Ann married Paul Ford in 1969 and the two spent a joyful life together. Mary Ann enjoyed year around golf with Paul—but especially near the New York Giants, later San Francisco Giants at their Arizona spring training facilities where the Fords met some of the world's greatest baseball legends. She and Paul spent much of a long retirement in Arizona. She always accompanied him on fishing trips to Montana and British Columbia with golf gear stowed in the trunk. She and Paul traveled extensively in northern and southern Europe, but without golf clubs! Mary Ann was a gifted needlework artist who the Lord blessed with special talents in counted cross-stitch and hardanger creations. Her art graces the Special Collections area at Western Washington University. Her gift of the Mary Ann Ford Pueblo Storyteller Collection is on permanent display in the University's main library. With Paul, she has created and endowed the Paul and Mary Ann Ford Fly Fishing Book Collection in WWU's Special Collections area. Mary Ann was a devoted member of Faith Presbyterian Church, East Wenatchee. She is survived by her beloved husband, Paul; step-son, Peter (Jocelyne); granddaughters Alexia and Emilie, all of Lyon and Dijon, France; long time friend Nancy Chronister; the Luce family of Lynden and extended family in Chelan and Douglas Counties. And most especially cousins Tami and Pete. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, April 1st, at 11:00 AM at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1301 10th St NE, East Wenatchee. A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, April 5th, at 11:00 AM at Faith Presbyterian Church, 200 S Kentucky St, East Wenatchee. Arrangements by Jones & Jones - Betts Funeral Home.

Tributes

Mary Ann Ford

October 30, 1931 - March 21, 2025