Eva Helen Ford 'Helen', Former Cranford Resident, Dies at 102

CRANFORD, NJ — Eva Helen Ford "Helen," 102 years and 46 days old, passed away on July 16 at her daughter’s home in Bolivia, NC. Her loving children, William G. Ford Jr. of Lovettsville, VA, Cynthia and son-in-law, Larry Sylvester were at her side.

Helen was born on June 1,1918 in Verona, NJ to the late Lester David and Theresa Thompson Mills and had two brothers, Lester and Robert who also predeceased her. She married William George Ford, a WWII vet, and they enjoyed more than 60 years of marriage before he passed in December 2001.

Helen is survived by her four beautiful Granddaughters, Mary Wagner of Crofton, MD., Elizabeth Smith of Surprise, AZ, Jessica Ford of Leesburg, VA and Kristin Huggler of Lovettsville, VA. She was also blessed with three Great-Grandsons, William Goode, Richard and Michael Smith, Great-Granddaughter, Charlotte Huggler, Great-Great-Granddaughter Kloe Goode and two Great-Great-Grandsons, Kayden Goode and Wyatt Smith. She was devoted to her sister-in-law, Marion "Aunt Jonesie" Hill “and many nieces and nephews who always described Helen as their favorite Aunt.

Helen dedicated her life to being kind to everyone, humans and animals alike. She loved to love and was always quick to point out the good in life. Helen had an amazing sense of humor, always loved a good joke and gave the very best hugs.

Helen’s 102nd birthday was celebrated with a 32 car birthday parade through her neighborhood. The event was featured on local Wilmington, NC news channel WWAY3 making her a local celebrity for the day (and further confirming her family's opinion of Helen’s lifelong luminary status.)

In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital would be appreciated to honor her Grandniece, Holly Burke who was in their care.

This obituary was submitted to us. The views expressed here are the author’s own.