Patricia E. (Guzaj) Ford, 77, of New Bedford died Saturday, October 15, 2022 peacefully at home. She was the wife of the late John P. "Jack" Ford, Jr.
Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Constantin and Kathleen (Howard) Guzaj, she lived in New Bedford for most of her life.
Patricia served as a nurse in the United States Army for 20 years and then in the U.S. Army Reserve for nearly 20 years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She was later employed as the assistant director of human resources at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for many years until her retirement.
She was a member of the New Bedford YWCA, American Legion, and contributed greatly to various local charities.
Patricia enjoyed reading and watching Westerns and sports, especially the Red Sox and Patriots. She loved spending time with her family and her cats, Jack and Jill.
She is survived by two sons, Timothy M. Ford and his wife Victoria of Taunton and John P. Ford, III and his wife Tracey of Brewerton, NY; four grandsons, Shane Devlin Ford, Connor Jack Ford, Avery John Ford, and Aiden Patrick Ford; her brother, Joseph Guzaj; her sister, Christine Lawrence; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Frank Guzaj, Mark Guzaj, Theresa Schneider, and Bonnie English.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 11:30 AM at St. Julie Billiart Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, October 23rd from 2-6 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the YWCA, 20 S. 6th St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Waltham, MA 02451. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.