Obituary for Julie Anne Ford
Retired elementary school physical education teacher Julie Anne Ford’s love of life will not end with her death; her beautiful and loving family, the joy she spread, the relationships she built, and her strength and positive outlook will live on through all who knew and loved her. Julie grew up in Ossining, New York to the late Walter and Mary Wordell. Julie passed away on February 11, 2023, at the age of 55 after a courageous and tenacious five-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was home, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Julie completed her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Springfield College and went on to receive her master’s degree in Applied Physiology from Columbia University. She spent the last 23 years teaching at Concord Road Elementary School in Ardsley, New York. Outside of her family, Julie’s pride was strongly rooted in her school and the students, where she shared her passion for learning with thousands of children over the years.
Julie loved going for long bike rides, having a good workout at the gym, and going to the beach, most especially the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She also loved sitting in front of the fire with a glass of Bacardi and Diet Coke while watching women’s basketball games.
Julie is survived by Phil, her loving and devoted husband of 20 years; her daughter Amanda and son Drew; brother, David Wordell (Sarah); sisters Paula Spengeman (Peter), Susan Rodriguez, and Mary Beth Rock (Michael); and her ten loving nephews and nieces Alfonso, Peter, Alyssa, Stephanie, Matthew, Nicholas, Katherine, Nathaniel, Angelica, and Jesse. She is also survived by her mother-in-law Helen Ford; brothers-in-law Steven (Patricia) and James Giordano; as well as their children Joseph, Kevin, and Ryan Giordano; and Daniel (Olivia), Eileen, and Emma Ford. She was also preceded in death by her father-in-law, Joseph Ford, and sister-in-law, Karen Giordano.
The family will receive visitors on February 14 from 4-8PM at the Balsamo-Cordovano Funeral Home, 15 Church Street in Carmel, NY. Julie’s funeral service is at 11:30AM on February 15 at St. James the Apostle Church in Carmel Hamlet. In loving tribute to Julie, in lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org or caringbridge.org in Julie’s memory.
Julie completed her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Springfield College and went on to receive her master’s degree in Applied Physiology from Columbia University. She spent the last 23 years teaching at Concord Road Elementary School in Ardsley, New York. Outside of her family, Julie’s pride was strongly rooted in her school and the students, where she shared her passion for learning with thousands of children over the years.
Julie loved going for long bike rides, having a good workout at the gym, and going to the beach, most especially the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She also loved sitting in front of the fire with a glass of Bacardi and Diet Coke while watching women’s basketball games.
Julie is survived by Phil, her loving and devoted husband of 20 years; her daughter Amanda and son Drew; brother, David Wordell (Sarah); sisters Paula Spengeman (Peter), Susan Rodriguez, and Mary Beth Rock (Michael); and her ten loving nephews and nieces Alfonso, Peter, Alyssa, Stephanie, Matthew, Nicholas, Katherine, Nathaniel, Angelica, and Jesse. She is also survived by her mother-in-law Helen Ford; brothers-in-law Steven (Patricia) and James Giordano; as well as their children Joseph, Kevin, and Ryan Giordano; and Daniel (Olivia), Eileen, and Emma Ford. She was also preceded in death by her father-in-law, Joseph Ford, and sister-in-law, Karen Giordano.
The family will receive visitors on February 14 from 4-8PM at the Balsamo-Cordovano Funeral Home, 15 Church Street in Carmel, NY. Julie’s funeral service is at 11:30AM on February 15 at St. James the Apostle Church in Carmel Hamlet. In loving tribute to Julie, in lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org or caringbridge.org in Julie’s memory.