Connie Yvonne Ford

Connie Clemons Jacobus Ford, age 77, of Miramar Beach, FL., passed away on March 24, 2025 after a tenacious four-year health battle.  Surviving a massive stroke, a widow-maker heart attack, pulmonary problems, too many stays in the hospital, too many antibiotics finally ended her fight. She was fierce, feisty, and full of hope that the next medicine would maker her well, sadly her body could not hold up.

Born August 23, 1946 to Maurice and Yvonne Clemens at home in Ipava, Illinois, she began her life journey with her twin Clyde.  Connie’s life ended with the same complications as pulmonary fibrosis, that took her brother’s life.

1964 was a big year for Connie.  She graduated from V.I.T. High School, married, and had her first and only child, daughter, Errin Jae Jacobus. Being the tough cookie Connie was, deciding not to be controlled by circumstances she divorced the following year. Though going to college was a desire, she chose to get her barber’s license.  She prided herself on being independent.  Single parenting was not the norm in the 60’s, nor was it easy.

Connie remarried the year her daughter Errin graduated from college in 1985. After years of dating Paul Ford of Lewistown, Illinois they took an adventurous trip out west to the Badlands in a camper.  There, they married and visited a souvenir photo shop for their wedding picture.  Paul dressed as a vintage gunslinger and Connie as a bride.  The sepia tone photo hangs on the wall still today. Together they panned for gold, she saved the tiny cork topped vial of gold dust and garnets in her jewelry box. Marrying Paul Ford took her from a family of two, to abundance.  He had five children that filled their life together with fun times.

Throughout her life, Connie had many passions, animals, art and traveling. Going through her photos a theme is always present, Connie with her pets: pictures of her as a girl on horseback riding through the streets of Ipava, countless kitties, a tank of fish that would swim through her fingers, stories of animals she sheltered, a racoon that could open the cookie jar, baby squirrels she fed with doll bottles and her beloved dogs.

One of her favorite pets was Harry the Shug, a ShiTzu pug mix the color of a lion with the haircut to match.  Photographed by many strangers, loved by all who knew him. Children would yell, “LOOK IT’S SIMBA”. However, her last beloved fur baby was Baxter. She rescued him and he was her comfort and constant companion through the grief of Paul passing, and all of her health problems.

Always a natural artist, she decorated her homes with personal creations. Connie was featured in the local Illinois newspaper in the 90’s, pictured cutting hair in her shop with her own paintings on the wall.  Artistry did not end with palette and a brush; she loved writing and gardening.  Wherever she lived, Illinois, Tennessee or Florida, she had beautiful gardens and plants. Currently on her porch there is a 20-year-old Bougainville named Nancy. Traveling was something she enjoyed with Paul, including many cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico and the Panama Canal. They took annual trips with friends to Texas and Forida. She traveled to Sweden staying with relatives, researching her grandmother Elm Kjellenberg, the young teen who came to America alone in the early 1900’s and started our American line here.

Connie will be remembered as a dependable friend and loving caregiver. Countless people were comforted by her through their dying days. Beyond her parents, she cared for her husband Paul Ford, his mother, Pauline Ford and Uncle Ivan. She traveled to care for her twin brother Clyde, her older half brother Jerry Sears, and his wife, Lu Ella Sears. Thankfully, she spent her final four years in Florida where her daughter, Errin could care for her. These were not her happiest years, as she had so many health issues. Connie always made her own choices including “not to live like this any longer” when she had enough and chose palliative care.  Connie was blessed to have Errin present to hold her hand through her last peaceful breaths.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Ford. She is survived by her only child, Errin Moss and husband, Doug and their son Justin; her stepchildren, Megan (Steve) Weichelt, Kerry (Craig) Kelley, Nick (Kelie) Ford, Amy (Chris) Hutt, and Kate (Dave) Davenport; fourteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren, and by many lifelong friends, dear cousins, nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life arrangements will be made at a later date.  Any donations in her honor may be made to The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 17, PO Box 303, Ipava, Illi