Helen Emma Ford

Norrisville, MD - Helen Emma (Miller) Ford, 82, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, May 14, 2022 with her beloved family within reach.Helen will always be remembered for her warm spirit, her quick wit & her loving approach with family.Helen passes just 9 months after her husband of 64 years, Robert Ford.This was their way - Helen was the “Robin” to Bob’s “Batman” – they were a match made in heaven & we are confident they are back together as it was intended!A love story for the ages.Helen Ford is to be remembered for a life well lived & the many joyous memories made in her beautiful life. Helen was born September 17, 1939 in New Freedom, PA – the sixth of seven children to the late Charles & Katie Miller.In her early years, Helen’s family moved to a large 100+ acre family farm south of Stewartstown, PA.The unmatched Miller family work ethic was developed at a young age.Helen & her siblings could be found picking crops (corn & tomatoes), tending to their dairy cattle & helping around the farm while sneaking in fun in the warm summer sun. Helen met the love of her life, Bob, as a teenager while working at Blevins Fruit Farm.They went on to marry & settle down in their first home above the movie theatre in Stewartstown. Once they welcomed their children, they moved to Norrisville, MD.Their children Sheree, Marcia & Keith were Helen’s world – spending most of her adult life as a caregiver.She was vital to the growth of the family business, Hanna Cleaners.As a co-owner, the dry-cleaning business was part of her life for almost 40 years & she was the office expert.The unsung hero. Helen greatly loved her family & friends!From her six siblings to her three children, she was always there with a listening ear.Once her grandchildren came along, she really flourished!Her grandchildren & great-grandchildren admired & appreciated Grandma/MeeMaw through a warm hug, hours of babysitting & a big support on sports fields.She loved gardening, sewing & was a voracious reader – always a book or magazine at the ready.Her children recall many a homemade outfit or costume prepared by their mom.Helen & Bob loved spending time at their beach house in Ocean Pines – many family memories of crabs on the deck & boat days on the bay.You could always expect a full breakfast prepared by Helen no matter how many guests were in the house.You never left her home hungry!She loved a good laugh & a quiet moment.She always hung on the phone a few spare seconds to savor the sweet goodbyes. Helen is survived by her siblings Shirley Joines (husband Robert), her sister Anna Mae Cook (husband Orven) & her brother Charles (Sonny) Miller (wife Anna Mae) as well as her sister-in-laws Peggy Miller & Linda Miller; Her children - Daughter, Sheree Gross & husband Russ of Fawn Grove; Daughter, Marcia Joines & husband Monti of Norrisville; Son Keith Ford & wife Renee of Norrisville; 6 grandchildren – Jeanine (Gross) Tarbert, Jennifer (Gross) Strobeck, Monica (Joines) Starleper, Megan (Joines) Gaetani, Haley Ford & William Ford; 8 great-grandchildren – Logan, Noah, Emma, Ellie, Brock, Tucker, Piper & Oliver.In addition to her parents & husband, Helen was proceeded in death by her sister Katherine McCleary, her brother Bobby Miller & her brother Dean Miller.What a beautiful legacy of lasting love & commitment! In lieu of flowers, please donate to Norrisville United Methodist Church (2811 Church Ln. Norrisville, MD 21161) where Helen was a committed member for six decades.There will be a private memorial service in the coming weeks.