Sylvia Ford (23 Feb 1934 - 25 Dec 2021)

In loving memory of Sylvia Ford who sadly passed away on 25th December 2021.

Sylvia was born on 23rd February 1934 at No. 1 Highlands Cottages, in Woodchurch, Kent. She was the youngest of four children born to Dennis and Elsie Chaplin. Her siblings were Daphne, Basil and Douglas.
In 1939 the family had moved to No 1 West End, Susan’s Hill and Sylvia had started at Woodchurch primary school where she was until her mid-teens.

After leaving school, Sylvia moved to Croydon where she trained as a housekeeper at the National Institute of Houseworkers’ Croydon training centre. She received her diploma in Housekeeping on 31st January 1951.

She moved to Tunbridge Wells to work as the housekeeper for a Mr & Mrs Blackwell. Around this time, her friend Vivian Ford introduced Sylvia to her brother; Sydney. A tall rake of a man, it wasn’t long before they were courting and could often be seen tearing around on a motorcycle and sidecar. Sylvia and Sydney were married on 31st March 1956 at All Saints Church, Woodchurch, with Vivian and Daphne her maids of honour.

Initially living with Sydney’s parents in Groombridge, they eventually moved to a flat in Tunbridge Wells where they enjoyed their early married life together. They later moved to a flat above a shop in Southborough high street.

On 7th September 1967, Sylvia gave birth to her son David at Pembury Hospital. Both Sylvia and Sydney were overjoyed, as they waited a long time for David to come along as Sylvia had suffered the pain of a previous miscarriage.

In 1971, the family moved to a new home in Bright Ridge, Southborough. This was to become the family home, filled with love and laughter. David’s memories of growing up are of a wonderful childhood and a loving upbringing. Family holidays to Devon, Cornwall and Wales.

Sylvia had many jobs during this time, she worked in a fabric shop and then a greengrocers on Southborough high street, and then as a chamber maid at the Hand and Sceptre hotel on Southborough common until she retired.

On April 5th 1995, Sylvia’s life was turned upside down when she lost the love of her life suddenly. This was a very difficult time for Sylvia, but David was there to help and support her through those dark weeks and months that followed.

In 1999, David introduced his mum to Leanne, who would become his wife two years later. She couldn’t have been more pleased, and in Leanne she had found the perfect daughter-in-law. They would spend their girly time together, and would regularly go shopping.

On 17th October 2003, Sylvia became a grandmother to Daniel. She doted on him, and likewise Daniel doted on his Nanna. She was so proud of Daniel and everything he had achieved in life. She was so looking forward to him going to University in September. She also adored Rosie, David and Leanne’s pet dog. Rosie would go mad whenever she saw Sylvia, running around and yapping excitedly. She couldn’t wait for Sylvia to sit down so she could get on her lap and make herself comfy.

By 2013, Sylvia was beginning to find the stairs in the family home a bit of a struggle, so she moved to a one bedroom ground floor flat in Lady’s Gift Road, Southborough. She felt a bit isolated there, so in April 2016 she moved to Suffolk Court in Rainham, to be nearer David, Leanne and Daniel.

Sylvia found a new lease of life at Suffolk Court, and made lots of new friends. She enjoyed many of their social events, including coffee mornings, sitting in the lounge for an afternoon natter, enjoying the garden and listening to the birds.

Throughout her life Sylvia never forgot her roots, and would regularly travel back to Woodchurch and the surrounding areas to visit her family; her step-mum Kay and bother Douglas. Her brother Basil, wife Joan and Maureen, Sandra and Teresa. Her sister Daphne, husband Leonard and Sue and Malcolm.

Sylvia was a great cook. There was never an empty belly if someone came to the Ford household for dinner. Whenever David and Leanne went to visit, Sylvia would always ask what they wanted for dinner. It was usually a Sunday roast or beef suet pudding, two of David’s favourites whilst he was growing up. Even when Sylvia got too old to cook, she made sure you never went hungry. Chicken kebabs and pizzas from the local takeaway were just two of her favourites.

Sylvia loved being outside in her garden, with the sun of her face. Looking after the flowers she religiously planted every spring and watching the birds that would come and feed at her bird tables. She enjoyed readings romantic novels. and watching her soaps, quiz shows, cooking shows and dramas and puzzle books.

Sylvia had a lot of great friends during her lifetime and kept in contact with them; June Galloway, Jenny Greagsby, Jenny Davis, Marilyn Murrell, Stan and Lilian Jeffery, Joy Thornton and Jenny Dorrington to name just a few. Thank you to each and every one of you for enriching Sylvia’s life with your love and friendship.

Sylvia’s passing has left a massive hole in David, Leanne & Daniel’s life. Yes, she could be a right royal pain in the bum at times with her demands, old fashioned ways and opinions, but she meant the world to them. She loved them dearly and they likewise.