Annette Marie Ford

Annette Ford’s long, blessing-filled life ended peacefully on February 18th, at the age of 104.

Annette was born to Harold & Elizabeth Brown on August 19th, 1920. Elizabeth passed soon after, and Annette was raised by her father & grandmother in Newark, NJ, attending Blessed Sacrament School. Growing up in Newark, she walked up & down the streets to save a dime on bus fare so she could catch a double feature at the movie theatre.

As a young woman, Annette worked in a church rectory, where she met her husband, Fabian O’Neill. Fabian & Annette said “I do” in autumn of 1938, and four years later, moved to Wayne. Annette lived in Wayne for more than 80 years, raising four children of her own; Elizabeth, Kathleen, Jack, & Dennis. While raising her children, she worked at J. Wiss & Sons Co. Scissors in Newark, and at Mack Molding in the early 1950s.

Annette was always a social butterfly with an infectious laugh & contagious smile. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Post #174, and part of the Columbiettes Auxiliary for the Knights of Columbus. Annette was part of Elks Lodge #2181, where she volunteered to work bingo nights for 8 years. For over 40 years, Annette was a member of the Golden Key Club for senior citizens. She served as President and as Chaplain of the Club, and always looked forward to having lunch and playing cards with the group on Fridays.

As Annette’s children grew up and their families blossomed, “Gram’s house” down the street became everybody’s favorite place to play cards, assemble puzzles, and have Sunday suppers. She spent her spare time sewing, knitting, and crocheting, and she was always happy to share her skills, knowledge, & stories with others.

Later in life, Annette met her second love, Mike Ford, through the American Legion. When they married in 1977, she became a step-mother to Mike’s three children; Marianne, Ellen, & Martin. The couple enjoyed their retirement by traveling the world; one of her favorite trips was to Ireland, where she & Mike reconnected with their Irish roots.

When Annette turned 100 in 2020, she received the gift of her first great-great-grandchild, and welcomed two more great-great-grandchildren into the world a few years later. She did not take her long life for granted, and knew what a blessing it was to see her family span five generations. The four generations she leaves behind will remember her in every stitch they sew & crochet, on every travel adventure, and while playing her many favorite card games.

Annette was preceded in death by her husband Fabian O’Neill in 1970, daughter Elizabeth Baier in 1983, and second husband Mike Ford in 1997. She is survived by three of her children; Kathleen Thoma, Jack O’Neill, and Dennis O’Neill, three step-children; Maryann Callaghan & her husband Johnny, Ellen Hayes, and Martin Ford & his wife Colleen, as well as Annette’s large blended family of twenty-three grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Covenant House Newark would be appreciated.