Josefa “Sylvia” A. (Wolf) Ford, 92, was born on April 29, 1927 and left us on April 9, 2020. She was a native of Eckardroth, Bad Soden-Salmünster, Germany, and one of eight children of Johann and Emilie (Oswald) Wolf. Sylvia grew up in Germany during difficult historical times, eventually immigrating to the United States in 1953.
Sylvia came to the United States as a nanny. She quickly learned English and settled with her husband, Thomas M. Ford, in his hometown of Springfield. She raised two sons with him until his untimely death in 1972. Sylvia remained in Springfield to continue nurturing her young family. Later they moved to Hampden to be close to her son and his young family. She was Oma to all who knew her because, more than anything, her grandchildren were her pride and joy.
Sylvia was happiest when she was among her family and a house full of people. She enjoyed being among her children, grandchildren and their friends. Although a homebody at heart, she enjoyed traveling with her dear friend Louise Chapin and making many trips back to Germany to visit her siblings and many nieces and nephews. She especially loved opening her doors to her visiting German family. Her German dinners of sauerbraten, knödels, and red cabbage, as well as her famous pea soup, were immensely enjoyed by her family and friends. She so enjoyed making her family and guests happy with these specialties.
Besides her parents and her husband Thomas, Sylvia was predeceased by six of her seven siblings: Änne, Franziska, Maria, Rudolf, Josef and Werner. She leaves behind her brother Karl of Eckardroth, her sons Thomas W. Ford (Ellen) and Terry M. Ford (Teresa Benedetti) all of Hampden. She will be greatly missed by her five grandchildren, Michael Ford (Maura), Lindsay Ford, Jessica Ford Coughlin (Kyle), Nicholas and Marina Ford, as well as her two great grandsons, Jack and Samuel Ford. Her loss is also deeply felt by her nephews and nieces in Germany who meant the world to her; Ronald Damerau (Aloysia), Sven Damerau (Monica), her godchild Petra Jäger (Hartmut), Kerstin and Julian Friedrichs and many others.
The family would like to thank Beacon Hospice for the care and comfort they provided Sylvia during her final weeks, as well as the staff of The Cottage at the Wellington in Springfield, as they cared for her with compassion and dignity.
A private burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
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