Beloved great-grandmother, longtime Claremonter was 90 years old

Longtime Claremont resident Anne Perry Ford was laid to rest April 29 when her ashes were spread at the gravesite of her late granddaughter, Anna, at Winchester Center Cemetery, Winchester, Connecticut. Anne died January 3, 2021 at the Gardens of El Monte Nursing Home in El Monte, California after a short illness.

She was born in Philadelphia on June 26, 1930 to Arthur Wesley Perry and Anna Rebecca Potterfield Perry. She spent much of a happy childhood in Newark, Delaware, and after her family’s relocation to Newton, Massachusetts, graduated from Newton High School with high honors in 1948. She attended Colby Junior College in New London, New Hampshire, graduating in 1952. Shortly after graduation she joined friends on a cross-country trip to the West Coast and decided to make California her permanent home, much to the bewilderment of her parents.

Over time, she resided in Burbank, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Claremont, where she was a homeowner for nearly 50 years. Her affinity and love for Claremont was inspired in part by architecture and streets that reminded her of New England.

She was employed for many years at Pomona College, later working in several different roles in the local real estate industry. She was active in Claremont civic life for decades, making many devoted longtime friends, including the “glee club.”

She was predeceased by her sisters, Mary Foye Huhta and Elizabeth Lavernoich; brother, Arthur William Perry; former husbands John Ford and Harold Douglas; a beloved daughter-in-law, Patty Pavey Ford; and a cherished granddaughter, Anna Foye Lavernoich.

She is survived by her children, John “Wes” Ford of Rancho Cucamonga, Cheryl Knight and her husband John of San Dimas, Patti Lavernoich and her husband Ned of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, and William “Perry” Ford and his wife Lorree of Dayton, Ohio; and by 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

“Throughout Anne’s life she provided her children with an example of bravery in the face of adversity,” her family shared. “Known as ‘nana’ by her living grandchildren, she was deeply adored and left memories to be cherished by them for the rest of their lives. Known as ‘auntie Anne’ by generations of loving nieces and nephews, she will be forever remembered for her irreverent, generous, and loving spirit, humor, and lifelong efforts to keep the extended family connected.”