Rosemary Ford

BANGOR - Rosemary H. Ford, 94, beloved wife of William J. Ford, Jr., died peacefully at Maine Veterans' Home, Bangor Wednesday, July 23 2025. She was born in Bangor, November 2, 1930, the daughter of Lawrence J. Shaw and Ann Madeline (Barry) Shaw.

Rosemary was a lifelong resident of Bangor, having graduated from St. John's Catholic grammar school and John Bapst High School, Class of 1948. After high school she was employed at New England Tel & Tel as a telephone operator until her marriage on August 20th, 1951. She served the City of Bangor many years as a ward worker and from 1975-1988 as the warden of precinct 118-2 at the Cohen Middle School. She was also employed at the Carlton Card & Gift Shop at the Bangor Mall for fourteen years, retiring in 1993. She was a communicant of St. John's Catholic Church her entire life and a member of the St. John's Women's Council. For twenty years she was a weekly volunteer at St. Joseph's Hospital at the front desk and at The Attic Thrift Store. In 2013, she was recognized by St. Joseph's Healthcare with the Mother Mary Angela Service Award for outstanding service.

In her retirement years she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with her husband where they made many close friends. She was a pro on the Shuffleboard Courts even winning a Championship one year. She also loved the times spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially the times spent playing cards and Scrabble. They gave her so many hours of happiness and enjoyment.

In addition to her parents, Rosemary was predeceased by her three brothers and sisters-in-law, Larry (Margaret), John (Faye), and Francis; her daughter-in-law, Karen Ford and by an infant grandson, Matthew Ryan Ford.

She is survived by her loving husband of 73 years; four sons and a daughter, Stephen and wife, JoAnne, of Holden, Timothy, of Bangor, Peter and wife, Cheryl, of Norton, Massachusetts, Robert Ford and his partner, Cindy MacDonald, of Corinth, and Deborah Picard and her wife, Michele, of Ogunquit. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and their spouses, Stephen (Samantha), William (Allison), Michael (Eliza), Kaila (Joe), Andrew (Marleina), Peter, Eric (Brittany), Kenny, Katrina (Tim), Justin (Krissie), Ryan, Benjamin, and Allison and 14 great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Leif, Sarah, Addison, Annabelle, Isabelle, Michael, Jonathan, Ford, Kyle, Ella, Dylan, Cora and Jackson; and many nieces and nephews, as well as her life-long friend, Connie Soucy.

The family would like to thank her wonderful neighbors, Tom and Janet Dwyer, whose loving acts of kindness meant so much to her and the caring staff at Maine Veterans' Home for the care provided to her during her final months.

Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 5-7p.m., Monday, July 28, 2025, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00p.m., Tuesday, July 29, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John's Catholic Church, 217 York St., Bangor. Those who wish to attend the service remotely may do so by visiting https://stpaulbangor.me/live-streamed-masses-1. All are invited to share conversation and refreshments in the Parish Hall immediately following the Mass. The Rite of Committal will be held privately in Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Bangor. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joseph's Healthcare, P.O. Box 1638 Bangor, ME 04402-1638 or The Attic Thrift Store, 54 Cumberland St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.