Ford, Paula J.

Paula J. Ford, of North Liberty, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed from this world on April 29, 2010, at the age of 56. Friends and family are invited to Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home in Dubuque for a visitation from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with a wake service at 7 p.m. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Resurrection Catholic Church in Dubuque. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa. Local arrangements are by Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids.

She was born at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts on Oct. 7, 1953, to Dick and Jeanne Ford, while Dick was stationed there with the Air Force. The oldest of seven children, Paula was raised on a farm near Mason City, Iowa. She received a degree in nursing from Allen School of Nursing in Waterloo and went on to practice nursing in Dubuque and Iowa City.

While in Iowa City her interests turned to the role of women in society and she entered the University of Iowa to study anthropology. Her studies took her to rural and urban communities in Guatemala and Nicaragua. She was awarded a Master of Art degree in anthropology in 1990 for her thesis, “Social Transformations in Guatemalan Communities: Class, Ethnic, and Gender Relations,” and a Ph.D. in 2000 for her dissertation thesis, “Narratives of Social Healing: Cultural Politics and the Nicaraguan Women's Movement.”

Following that she returned to nursing at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, where she provided compassionate care to those with mental disorders, particularly eating disorders.

Paula leaves behind to honor her memory her mother, Jeanne Ford of Dubuque; six brothers and sisters, Pat Ford (Lynn) of Dubuque, Katy Voet (Jeff Hegwer) of Mason City, Jim Ford (Joy) of Ankeny, John Ford of Austin, Texas, Jane Dolter (John) of Dubuque and Sara Todd (Dale) of Cedar Rapids; and nieces and nephews, Michael Voet (Marie), Liz and Joe Ford, Karl and Kristina Dolter, Dillon Ford, Ali and Katie Ford, and Adam Todd; and her very dear friend, Tom Chadderdon of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Ford; and her grandparents.

Paula was a lifelong learner who loved a good conversation. Her caring heart and unconditional love have touched each one of us and she will live in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to be made in Paula's memory to The ARC of East Central Iowa, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy or TriYoga of Cedar Rapids.

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