Margaret Ford

Margaret Ford Margaret Ford passed from this earthly life on July 11 at home with family at her bedside. Margaret was born Margaret Ellen Sickler in San Francisco on December 12, 1945. Her parents and their growing family lived in several Bay Area and Central Valley locations before settling in Manteca in the late 1950's. Margaret was the eldest of six children. Margaret excelled academically, earning a California Scholarship Federation lifetime membership by the time she graduated from Manteca High School in 1964. She began her postsecondary education at Cabrillo College in Aptos before being admitted and transferring to the Undergraduate Nursing program at San Jose State University in 1965. Margaret graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1968, and went on to work as a Registered Nurse in the medical-surgery and postpartum wards at U.C. Moffitt Hospital. Margaret met her future husband Eric Ford in a chemistry class during her first semester at Cabrillo. They married on September 21, 1968. In 1975, Margaret and Eric began looking for a community in which to settle. They decided to visit Chico for the first time in December of the same year, and they were so smitten by the area during their visit that they moved to Chico in June 1976. Margaret focused her energy on many activities and interests, especially those involving her three children. She became a tireless volunteer at each campus they attended including Sierra View School, Notre Dame School, Bidwell Jr. High, and Pleasant Valley Senior High. As her children matured and left home for college and military service, Margaret shifted her energy and focus toward a variety of cultural and social interests. Physical activity was always a passion for her, and she was a regular jogger into her 50's. She also enjoyed Ballroom dance, line dancing, aerobics and yoga. Later in life, her love of walking around Chico provided a regular outlet for her conspicuous physical energy. When Margaret was not exercising, she would often be seen playing--and teaching her children and grandchildren--all kinds of board and card games. She also had a lifelong passion for puzzles, such as Sudoku, which provided activity for her active, inquisitive mind. Margaret's many community friendships and social connections reflected her effervescent and fun-loving nature. She developed close personal friendships and group affiliations variously known by their respective participants as the "Fab Four," "Bunko Babes," "The Goddesses," and "Dancing Queens." Eric's retirement in 2007 enabled Margaret and Eric to travel, notably visiting eleven of the thirteen modern Presidential Libraries in pursuit of a mutual interest in American history. Margaret was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Her strong sympathy for the rights of the unborn, and her empathy and charity for women seeking support during pregnancies, led Margaret to volunteer at the Women's Resource Clinic for seven years. She was always ready to "talk politics" and was a member of Chico Republican Women, Federated. Margaret is survived by her husband of 47 years, Eric; son Christian (Amy) Ford of Burke, Virginia, and grandchildren James and Erica; son Aaron of Hillsboro, Oregon; daughter Megan (Marc) Gonzalez of Clayton, California, and grandchildren Quinn and Mason. She is also survived by three siblings: sister Carolyn (John) Gaynor of Manteca; brother Andrew (Kristie) Sickler of Minden, Nevada; and brother Matthew Sickler of Manteca. She counts fourteen nieces and nephews among whom she maintained many close relationships. She was predeceased by sister Teresa Sickler and brother Daniel (Connie) Sickler of Medford, Oregon. Margaret's family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the many neighbors and friends whose prayers, fellowship, kindness, and active support eased the long journey. Her family also wants to thank involved staff of Enloe Cancer Center and Enloe Hospice. A memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 18 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. View obituary and send condolences online at brusiefh.com.