In Memory of Christine L. Ford

Obituary

Christine (Chris) L. Ford, 66, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 19, 2024 surrounded by love in the comfort of her home.

Born in New Hartford, NY on June 8, 1958, Chris was the daughter of Alfred and Cecile (Atkyns) Kupiec. She was a graduate of St. Francis De Sales High School. In 1980 she received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Oneonta State and subsequently received her M.A. in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland.

On July 16, 1983, she married her soul mate and love of her life Ronald A. Ford. Chris loved her husband Ron deeply and he adored her. They were truly made for one another, and their beautiful love story spanned 46 years. They were never without each other. Chris and Ron loved Cape Cod, with their favorite place being Nantucket. Chris enjoyed music and traveled all over the country with Ron to see her favorite artist, Amy Grant.

Chris was a devoted educator with a fulfilling and purposeful career as an elementary school teacher for 39 years. She retired from Hugh R. Jones School in Utica, NY in 2019. She loved her students and often said that they were her children for a whole 10 months and treated them all as if they were her own. She had a unique gift for reaching all children. She cared deeply for her students and always made them feel special and loved. Students, parents, and colleagues loved and adored Chris in return. She touched hearts and minds and influenced the lives of countless students, and her impact will be felt for generations to come. She spread love, kindness and optimism and made the world a brighter and more beautiful place. She was truly a blessing to all who knew her and leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion.

Chris shared a special bond with her loving mother, and it was through that bond that she learned the value of family. Chris treasured every moment with her loved ones. Her love for family knew no bounds and she held family closest to her heart. She took on all our worries so that we could worry a little less and was our biggest cheerleader and encourager. Chris’ passing has left a gaping hole in all our hearts. Chris loved animals, especially dogs. She was most comforted by her faithful canine companion, Missy who could always be found by Chris’ side.

Chris is survived by her husband, Ronald A. Ford; her sisters, Karen (Thomas) LaPolla, Sharon Kupiec and Julie Waffle; her brothers Alfred Jr. (Catherine) Kupiec, Daniel (Gretchen) Kupiec, Michael (Terry) Kupiec and Brian Kupiec; her brother in laws, Brant (Ellen) Ford, Blake (Cathy) Ford; her sister in law, Ann Marie (Brian) Fortuna; her nieces and nephews, Heather and Richard Galinski, Shaun and Pamela LaPolla, Kaitlyn LaPolla and Lauren Marleau, Meghan and John Robert Waldrop, Dr. Patrick Kupiec and Samantha Haumann, Kourtney Kupiec and Rinae Olsen, Kurtis, Kyle, Sarah and Emily Kupiec, Brant and Rebecca Ford, Andrew and Sarah Ford, Allison and Andrew Allen, Ashley and Chet Williams, Sarah and Diego Echeverri; many great nieces and nephews and countless friends. Chris was predeceased by her parents, Alfred, and Cecile Kupiec and in laws, Loren and Marjorie Ford.

Relatives and Friends are invited and may call Thursday, 7/25/24 from 4-7 p.m. at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home 13 Oxford Road New Hartford, NY 13413. Funeral services will be held on Friday, 7/26/24 at 12 p.m. at the St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish with a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society 5664 Horatio Street Utica, NY 13502 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Upstate Cancer Center in Verona, NY., Dr. Merima Ramovic, Dr. Linda Schicker, Laura Senska, NP, Duke Brain Tumor Center, Hospice and Palliative Care of New Hartford and Danielle Swiderski, FNP.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.