You were the beautiful melody in the rhythm of our life.
The music of your love lives on.
Obituary
With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Mollie Ford (née Marjorie), who took her final bow — unafraid and with an open heart on May 11, 2026, at the remarkable age of 105. A woman of extraordinary beauty, strength, and grace, she lived over a full century as a force of nature — loving, adventurous, supportive and unforgettable.
Mollie was a wonderful wife of 58 years for Francis (Frank) Ford; a proud and guiding mother of Richard (Charlene), Geoffrey (Linda) and Peter (Kathryn); a supportive grandmother and great-grandmother; and a generous friend to many. Mollie touched the lives of everyone she met and will be deeply missed by all of us.
A memorial service in celebration of Mollie’s life will be held at:
Christ Church Gabriola,
on July 11th, 2026.
Timing and other details will be updated in the Services section below.
History
Mollie’s life has been anything but ordinary. Born in England on March 8, 1921, she spent much of her first seven years living in India and Africa before returning to England with her parents and settling in Purley, south of London.
She earned her teaching degree just as WWII began and spent the war years teaching kindergarten in London — collecting enough stories from wartime London to fill a book. Alongside teaching, Mollie had a lifelong love of music and spent decades playing and teaching piano.
In 1950, she married Frank in London, and together they immediately set off on an adventurous life abroad. After three years in the Middle East, and the birth of their first son, Richard, in Nazareth, Israel, the young family emigrated to Calgary in 1953. Geoffrey arrived in 1954, Peter in 1957, and the family spent more than 25 happy years in Calgary.
Mollie wore many hats over the years: piano teacher, knitter extraordinaire, church and community volunteer, business assistant, as well as enthusiastic supporter of every hobby, recital, sport, and adventure her children and grandchildren pursued.
In 1980, Mollie and Frank retired to Gabriola Island, where they built their dream home and quickly became part of the fabric of the community. To this day, it’s hard to find someone on Gabriola who doesn’t know Mollie.
Travel was another great passion. Mollie and Frank made annual pilgrimages to Maui and Palm Desert and explored everywhere from Europe and the Far East to Australia and beyond. Even into her mid-90s, Mollie was still vacationing in Mexico and organizing family cruises.
After Frank passed away in 2008, Mollie continued living independently in her Gabriola home until the remarkable age of 100. At 99, she was still driving her car, playing piano and organizing church events, proving that slowing down was never really her style.
In 2021, Mollie moved to assisted living at Kiwanis and a couple of years later to Dufferin Place, where she enjoyed excellent care and support from their wonderful staff.
Mollie will be lovingly remembered by her 3 sons, 7 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren — all of whom are incredibly proud of their amazing 105-year-old Nana.
Mollie's Musings
To those I love and those who love me.
When I am gone, release me let me go. I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears, be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love you can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown, but now it's time I traveled alone,
So grieve a while, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on. So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near. And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear all of my love around you soft and clear.
Celtic Blessing
May the strength of the wind and the light of the sun, the softness of the rain and the mystery of the moon reach you and fill you.
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,
May wonder fullfill you and love surround you,
May your step be steady and your arm be strong,
May your heart be peaceful, and your word be true,
May you seek to learn and may you learn to live,
May you live to love and may you love - always.
Life is not a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body,
but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....
What a ride!
Photo Gallery
Memory wall
Mollie's three sons, Richard, Geoff, Peter and their families would like to thank several wonderful friends who supported Mollie over the years, especially following the loss of our father, Frank Ford in 2008.
First and foremost, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to Suzanne Kimpan, Mollie’s neighbor and dear friend, who was a steadfast presence through illnesses and operations, and always there whenever Mollie needed support or simply a warm conversation.
Also, Peter Gurney, Mollie’s longtime gardener and handyman who could always be counted on to take care of whatever needed doing around her home. Having the dedicated support of Suzanne and Peter, allowed Mollie to enjoy several more years in her dream home living alone until she reached 100 years old.
Her community at Christ Church Gabriola, and especially Paddy Waymark and the handbell group, who brought joy and fellowship to her life.
Heather Steele, who stayed in regular touch and gifted Mollie with the most beautiful handmade cards for every occasion — a gesture that meant the world to her.
The dedicated staff at Dufferin Care Center, who looked after Mollie with such kindness and care in her final years, ensuring she was comfortable and happy.
Anne Gallagher, Mollie's Neighbor who shared Mollie’s deep love of reading and kept her supplied with many wonderful books.
Wendy Hall, Jacqueline Westhead, Laarni (Lala) Lagman, and Maida Foucher who visited Mollie at Dufferin and provided such wonderful companionship each and every week for the past few years.
Mollie also cherished the friendships of Julie Falk, Marie Moore, and Margaret Taylor, among so many others.
Mollie was truly blessed with a rich circle of friends, and we know there are many more who touched her life in meaningful ways. If we have not named you here, please forgive the oversight and we warmly invite you to share your own memories of Mollie on this wall. She treasured each and every one of you.
Mollie enjoyed talking and reminiscing when we looked at her life story book, as well as books on dogs, English Gardens, Royalty, dolls and knitting. She enjoyed Bingo and loved the chocolate prizes!
Special memories of our times out in the garden, where she enjoyed the warm sunshine, fresh air and smelling the roses.
I was always greeted with a smile and at the end of our visit she would blow kisses. Mollie was a gem and will be truly missed.
Thank you to Richard, Geoff and Peter for the opportunity to spend time with a remarkable lady.
Within a few months of meeting Mollie and her sons on a video call, I knew I needed to drive to Canada to meet in person. I had no idea at the time that I would end up spending most of the past year or so on the Island and getting to have regular visits with Mollie. I remember on one of my early visits as she and I were taking a 'selfie' together and she said, while looking at the screen with our faces next to one another, "We look alike you and I!" I had not caught it, but she did, right away.
We all have our up days and down days and Mollie did as well over the time I knew her. And even so, she always wanted to do the crosswords together. I absolutely loved doing this with her and I was constantly humbled by her mastery of spelling! We would always have a good laugh because with longer words, she would not want to tackle it at first... but inevitably she would get those more easily than the shorter words. This was of course followed by celebratory sound effects from me and then her and I doing a 'high-five'.
I am smiling so much as I remember the joy of those moments. Or sitting in the garden watching the birds and smelling the flowers....Video chats with my mom/her niece (Sue)... or sharing videos of nature from my days between visits...sea lions, whales, eagles. She loved them all.
So many moments that I am just in awe that I was fortunate enough to have with her. It truly felt like the stars aligned and my gratitude is truly overflowing. My heart goes out to all of her family and friends...and all who were touched by Mollie.
I feel deeply blessed to have known her. Her generosity of spirit, and the comfort and wisdom she offered me while I cared for my mother in her final years, will never be forgotten. Her home was always a place of peace, warmth, and renewal. I will forever treasure the time we spent together on her porch, talking about everything and nothing, sharing laughter, stories, and so much of the minutiae that made up our lives. Her heart was always so very open.
They just don’t come any better than dear, wonderful Mollie. I'm imagining her now deftly organizing Strawberry Teas and all special occasions of the angelic kind in the great cosmic beyond. I love you, Mollie.
After we moved to Calgary, Molly and Jeanie were able to spend more time together. Both were avid knitters and I remember that Molly crocheted a beautiful top for me which I wore to my high school graduation.
Even after Molly and Frank moved to Gabriola there were many visits with sailing adventures and evenings spent enjoying the infamous hot tub.
Molly is the last of the fabulous foursome and has left an amazing legacy in her boys, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
However, with the introduction of several companies who used DNA testing to match relatives, Mollie was contacted by Sue Westhead in New Mexico a couple of years ago. Based on the match of their DNA and from comparing their histories, we determined that Sue’s Mother and Mollie were half sisters and both were put up for adoption in the early 1920’s. Neither of them knew they had a sister until Mum turned 103.
Sue is unable to travel but has kept in touch with Mollie via letters and FaceTime the past couple of years. However, Sue’s daughter Jacqueline has travelled up to Vancouver Island for several months during the past two years and has visited Mollie on a regular basis. Jacqueline has been a wonderful companion for Mollie and helped her solve crossword puzzles at 105 years old.
Family tree
Service
Donate
Donations can be made through the Gabriola Clinic's Foundation website at: www.ghcf.ca
Once your donation is complete, you will have the option to send a condolence letter to a recipient of your choosing.
Your donation will serve as a meaningful tribute, perpetuating the spirit of Mollie by supporting a cause that also helps our community. Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Mollie embodied throughout their life.
For questions about the clinic or to donate directly, email ghcf@ghcf.ca
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