Barbara Jean Howard Ford

Barbara was born in Grand Island, to Sylvia & Skip Howard and spent most of her childhood years living in Hastings.



While attending college at UN, her uncle, Dr. Clyde Hardy, coaxed her into coming to Omaha to work and train as his Xray technician.



The Hardy’s, next door neighbors, were Pearl & Jack Ford. She met and married their son, John P. Ford when she was 21. They raised 3 children, John H. (deceased), Jane & Todd.



Because she was an only child, she learned to reach out to others for friendship. Though she didn’t work outside the home after starting a family, she was a tireless volunteer and loved being active with others.



For over 60 years she was an active member of Dundee Presbyterian church. She held many offices in PEO, a women’s group that raises money to fund education for women. She more than took her turn as Brownie, Girl Scout & Den leader!



Once her children were grown, she became involved in Women’s Town Hall, & Utahalee Girls Home. One of her greatest passions was for the Omaha Community Playhouse. Her love of theater and belief in it’s importance to the community, took her from helping to sell tickets in the early years, to serving as President of the Board & later being on the Foundation Board. There is a Barbara Ford Award for best supporting actor. During her tenure as Board Chair, she helped raise significant money for expansion to the current size of the facility.



She is a past chair of the Women’s Ball Committee for Aksarben.



Her love of the arts extended to participating in an Art Guild, was founding board member of the Crescendo concerts and on the Lied Center Advisory board, she also supported MONA.



When she wasn’t attending meetings, she loved to play bridge, golf, & tennis. She was wonderful cook and had a gift for hospitality.



Widowed since 1992, she traveled extensively. Of course, some of those travels were to visit her children, grand children and great grand children.



In 2015, she moved to Jacksonville, FL. and spent her last 3 years near her family.



She passed away April 8, about a month after her 90th birthday.



Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, John P. Ford and son, John H. Ford.



She is survived by her family,



Children: B. Jane Miller (Tom)-Jacksonville, FL



Todd B. Ford (Susan)-Las Vegas, NV



Grandchildren: Tom O. Miller (Jessica)-Charleston, SC

John W. Miller (Tricia)-Panama City, FL

Paige F. Miller- Charlotte, NC



Great grandchildren: Juniper Grace & Thomas Fox Miller-Charleston



John Joseph & Stephen Samuel Miller-Panama City



Nieces: Joan Simmons (Chuck)-Denver, CO



Carol Mudgett- Carlsbad, CA



and many cousins.