of Chelsea, died March 30, 2016 at the age of 79. She was born in Detroit on June 30, 1936 to Eugenia and Henry Neff. Jean graduated from Western High School in Detroit in 1953. She attended Wayne State University and Washtenaw Community College. On Aug. 20, 1983, she wed Andrew Ford, a teacher and school administrator and later owner of an engineering consulting firm. She and her husband kept horses for many years on their property in Sylvan Township. The couple also served for years as co-superintendents of the horse division of the Chelsea Community Fair. Jean’s love of animals included an assortment of farm animals and especially her canine friends, Midgie, Howie, Newfie, and Gigi as well as one extraordinary cat, Lumpy.
Music was important in Jean’s life. She loved to sing, and she performed for a time with the Sweet Adelines. She also played guitar and was an accomplished pianist. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading, hiking and horseback riding. A special interest was cycling, having biked most of North America and Europe. Camping from the bicycles was a favorite. In later years, Jean worked out regularly at the Chelsea Wellness Center. Jean’s family and friends will especially remember her kindness and support throughout their lives.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and by one brother, Kenneth. She is survived by a son, James H. (Melissa) Botsford of Brighton; a daughter, Julie (James) Botsford Reznich of Traverse City; and stepchildren Christopher (Michele) Ford of Brighton, Nancy (Dan) Ford of Brighton, Susan (Philip) Lerner of Avon, CT, and Steven (Sarah) Ford of Grosse Ile. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was held Saturday, April 16, 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. The family received friends 9-10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Last Chance Rescue dog rescue in care of Woodland Animal Hospital, 7980 Grand River, Brighton, MI, 48114 or at www.lastchancerescue.org. Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.