WEST SPRINGFIELD - Rosalie Judith Ford, Ph.D., 82, of West Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. She was born in Springfield on Sunday, November 3, 1940, the beloved daughter of the late Herbert L. and Rose M. (DeFalco) Ford. She was raised in Holyoke, graduated from the former Saint Jerome High School in Holyoke and had moved to West Springfield in 1958 where she lived the remainder of her life. As a young child, Rosalie was nurtured by the Sisters of Providence at Brightside in West Springfield. She continued to have a close relationship with the Sisters of Providence, especially with Sr. Mary Caritas, S.P. who was her lifelong friend and mentor. She furthered her education and received a Bachelor's Degree from Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee during which time she formed a special relationship with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, especially with Sr. Jane Morrissey, SSJ which led to Rosalie's becoming part of the Morrissey family. She later received a Master's Degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, a Level Six Award from American International College in Springfield and her Doctorate Degree from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. She was employed as a Teacher at Valentine School in Chicopee and later worked as a Lay Apostolate Teacher in New Mexico and Missouri. She worked for many years for the City of Springfield as an Elementary School Teacher and had worked at the former Sixteen Acres, now Mary Walsh, Glickman, Brookings, Brightwood and Liberty Elementary Schools, retiring in 2003. She was a member of the Springfield Education, Massachusetts Teachers, National Education, American Anthropology and Education and Anthropology Associations. She published articles for New England Reading Association on education and cultural process. Rosalie was a devout Catholic with a special reverence for the Eucharist and devotion to Saint Francis Xavier and Matteo Ricci, SJ, which led to her interest in missionary work. She was for years a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield where she volunteered her time and was a Chairperson for their Annual Diocese Catholic Appeal. She was the recipient of the Sacred Heart Award, now the James P. Skehan Award from the Church. She currently was a communicant of the Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel in Springfield where she received spiritual guidance. At these two parishes, she developed close friendships with Reverend Monsignors George Farland and Christopher Connelly. Prior to the passing of her dear friend, Reverend Hugh Crean, Rosalie worked with him to organize his homilies and other materials which were recently published in a new book edited by Reverend Mark Stelzer, "Along the Way, The Life Lessons and Legacy of Fr. Hugh Crean". She also served as a Eucharistic Minister at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield for many years. During her last years, Rosalie received wonderful care and developed close friendships with residents and staff at Prosper at Monastery Heights Assisted Living Facility in West Springfield. Rosalie lived a long, beautiful life and will be deeply missed by her many dear friends and colleagues. Her friends are invited to attend a Visiting Hour on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. which will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel, 254 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103, (please meet directly at the Cathedral). Her Entombment will follow the Mass at the Saint Michael the Archangel Mausoleum at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. Her Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413)737-1177, 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Providence Ministries, 51 Hamilton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or the Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel, 260 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103. For more details and to leave condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com