Janet P. Ford

Janet Ford was a gifted artist who painted not only her masterpieces, but also her world with the colorful facets of her personality, just by being who she was each and every day.

The 1920’s were a period in our nation’s history that was rich with new styles in art. Art Deco burst onto the scene in 1925 and the creations that resulted in many different forms were considered innovative and modern. During this year Edwin and Ruth (Wilson) Pfaff, of Chicago, Illinois, were blessed on July 2, 1925 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Janet.

Janet and her two brothers were raised in Chicago where Janet graduated from high school. Education was important to Janet and she went on to obtain her bachelors of fine arts degree in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland area is where Janet would call home for the majority of her adult life.

An exciting change was in store for Janet when she met Bryce Ford to whom she was united in marriage. Together they raised four children: Brion, Aaron, Joshua, and Selma. Janet enjoyed raising her children and gained much fulfillment from her role as a mother.

Janet was a gifted artist who found employment pertaining to her talent as a commercial artist for American Greetings, the world's largest publicly owned creator, manufacturer and distributor of social expression products, headquartered in Cleveland. Here, Janet helped design greeting cards, wallpaper patterns, napkins, and many other unique things.

Her love for art continued even when she was not at work as Janet created her artwork at home. She was particularly fond of painting, especially using watercolors. Janet also loved the outdoors, often drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature.

Life became more difficult for Janet in 2002 when her beloved Bryce died. A short time later Janet moved to the Portage, Michigan area to be closer to her son Brion and his family. Here, Janet continued to enjoy the outdoors, especially the Celery Flats where she would often walk for miles.

Janet Ford was a creative woman who spent her lifetime enjoying the beauty that was all around her. She touched the lives of many through her beautiful designs created both at work and at home. Janet was a beloved sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Janet P. Ford died on January 13, 2009. Janet’s family includes her sons and their wives Brion (Joni) Ford, Aaron (Jamaliah ) Ford, Joshua (Marie) Ford, and her daughter Selma Ruth, her grandchildren: Bailey, Joseph, & Jonathon Ford, Isa Hansen, her brothers Robert (Sue) Pfaff and William Pfaff. Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held. Please visit Janet’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.