Patricia Elaine Ford (26 Feb 1954 - 3 Nov 2024)

In loving memory of Patricia Elaine Ford who sadly passed away on 3rd November 2024.

Pat was born in Stockton On Tees in 1954 the daughter of Tessie and Bert Race. Tessie worked in local industry and Bert, a Burma Star War veteran, was a headmaster at the local school. Pat attended East Hartburn primary school where she showed early evidence of her fierce intelligence when she won two Cadbury Brothers National Essay Competition prizes. Here she met her dear and lifelong friend Hilary.

After successfully completing the 11 plus exam Pat went on to Grangefield Grammar school for girls in Stockton on Tees. Her mum died when Pat was 11. Pat was so thankful for how her close family of aunties, uncles and cousins looked after her dad and her during and long after, that awful loss. She remained close to her extended family throughout her life and loved them all dearly. Later Bert would marry Janet Sparrow who became a much beloved stepmother to Pat.

At Grangefield Pat obtained 11 O Levels. After obtaining 4 A Levels Pat went onto Stirling University and obtained, in 1976, a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English. Pat was later to receive a Master of Arts in Popular Culture in 2003 from the Open University. At Stirling Pat would meet Neilson who became her husband in 1978. They had a very happy marriage. She was also to make another dear friend of Ali. Along with Liz and Shona.

After Stirling Pat joined the Civil Service as an Executive Officer and worked in Glasgow before moving south to London. From there her career took her to Southampton where she joined HM Customs and Excise. She retired as a Senior Executive Officer in 2016. At HMC&E she made many friends notably Carolyn, Debs and Jo who remained great friends for the rest of Pat's life.

Pat volunteered for Southampton Cultural Services after she retired and spent many happy hours volunteering at Tudor House Museum, Southampton City Art Gallery and Sea City Museum. She also volunteered at the Mast Theatre. Pat loved working at Tudor House especially, and was so happy to make some lovely new friends there. She especially liked making the decorations for the Tudor House events at Halloween, Easter and Christmas and working with all the guides and members of the make and mend team. She was very fond of all the people there.

Pat, for many years partnered me in a small antiques business where we would have great fun attending antique auctions and antique markets. There was nothing she liked more than having a rummage for antiques in the Lille Braderie or in the Rastro in Madrid whilst visiting our great friends Susie and Steve.

Pat took her friendships very seriously and had many good and loyal friends. She never had a bad word to say about anybody. She was brave to the last and although I say it myself she was the kindest, nicest and most honest person you could meet. Although not religious Pat was very grateful to her friends Tola and Sue for all their prayers during her illness and to another of her friends Sue, who although they met late in her life, was very dear to her and was so supportive during this difficult time. Pat was also so grateful to our dear friend Pauline who always looked after our cats and our dog Daisy so well and especial thanks for her recent support looking after Daisy. I'd also just like to say a big thankyou to my brother Tim, my sister in law Jen, my niece Becks and my nephew Rob for all their support and kind words. And the same to John and Sally.

This is just the bare bones of Pat's life and there is of course so much more to say but I think that's enough for now. I would like to say how very grateful I am to all those friends and her family members and my dear family for all the support and love you have shown in the past year.

As you know Pat was a great cat lover and if you feel like making a donation in her memory then perhaps you can send a donation direct to Cat's Protection.