Dr. Lucille Garber Ford
Dr. Lucille Garber Ford, passed away peacefully at home September 2, 2024 at 102 years old. She was born Dec. 31,1921 to Ora Myers Garber and Edna Armstrong Garber in Ashland, Ohio and was a lifelong resident of her beloved Ashland. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1940 and then received Associates Degree from Stephens College and a Bachelor’s degree and MBA from Northwestern University with scholastic awards.
She married Laurence Wesley Ford on Sept. 1, 1946 in the Ashland First Presbyterian Church. They were married for 59 years and is survived by her two daughters, Karen Ford and JoAnn Ford Watson (Duane Watson) and two grandchildren, Christina Weaver (Sam Weaver) and Sean DeLong. She also leaves many nieces and nephews from the Garber and Ford families.
She and her husband ran the A.L. Garber Company as a thriving family business until the 1960’s. Dr. Ford then received a Ph.D. degree in Economics from Case Western Reserve University and began a fruitful career at Ashland University as Professor, Dean, and Provost there for 30 years. She also received a Master of Arts degree from Ashland Theological Seminary, and Honorary Doctorates from Ashland University and Tarkio College.
After her retirement, Dr. Ford founded the Ashland County Community Foundation in 1995 and served there as Founding President for 17 years. She also served on various boards such Ashland University, North Central State College, Stephens College, National City Bank, Ohio Edison Corporation, A. Schulman Company, Ashland City School Board, Ashland City School Foundation Board, and Ohio Council of Economic Education.
In 1978, Dr. Ford was the first woman to be on the primary ticket for Lt. Governor of the State of Ohio. She was inducted to the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, Ashland High School Distinguished Alumni, Ashland Woman of Achievement, Ashland Chamber of Commerce Awards, Ohio Lifetime Philanthropic Award, Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, the Northern Ohio Workers Alliance Award, the Hall of Excellence Award from North Central State College, and the Ashland University Glenn L. Clayton Award. Ashland University Alumni, Dr. Peter and Kathy Linneman, honored her and her husband with a lecture series, and Fred Broad honored her with a scholarship named for her and John Fraas. Ashland County Community Foundation Women’s Fund honored her with the Freedom from Selfishness Award.
Dr. Ford was the Grand Marshal for the Ashland 2014 Bicentennial Parade. She was chair of the first Kroc Center Building campaign and a recent Ashland University campaign. She was a lifelong member of Ashland First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder and Stephen Ministry director. She and Larry enjoyed the potluck couples group and their travels for many decades. She enjoyed summers at Lake Erie with her beloved family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Church Street, Ashland Ohio 44805 with Rev. Justin Hylden and Rev. Dr. JoAnn Ford Watson officiating. Private burial for family only will be held at the Ashland Cemetery following the service. There will be no calling hours.
The family would like to thank Central Star Home Health Care Agency, Southern Care Hospice, and Brethren Care for their exemplary caregiving.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to Ashland County Community Foundation, 300 College Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805 to be given to her funds for the benefit of Ashland University.
For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to be handling the arrangements for Dr. Ford.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com