Mariba Winifred Ford, 95, of McDonough passed away on July 7, 2018 at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Residential Health Care Facility.

She was born on August 2, 1922 in Smithville Flats, NY, a daughter of the late Richard and Mabel (Wilcox) Myers Balcom.

She graduated from Oxford Academy and Central School with the Class of 1941. She married Ivon R. (Jip) Ford, Jr. on August 2, 1942 who passed away on December 1, 1996.

She is survived by her children, Patricia Mariba Ford of Croghan, NY and Ivon R. and Patricia (Marso) Ford, III of McDonough; her grandchildren, Jennifer and Jason diPalma, Michael and Patricia Ford, and Patricia (PK) and Richard Pinder; her great grandchildren, Andrew and Brian diPalma, Miranda Roche, Zachary Ford, Joseph Pinder, and Lucienne Mariba Pinder. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. She was predeceased by her husband and their two still born children; her siblings, Irene Moroney, Edward Myers, Frank Myers, and Earl Myers; her stepfather, Clarke Balcom and two nephews, Eugene Gilliand and Lewis H. Ford.

Mariba was a charter member of the McDonough Emergency Squad and the McDonough Women’s Club. She was a member of the Chenango County Home Bureau.

She was a life member of the McDonough Fire Department. She served on the Chenango County Draft Board during World War II and served with the Civil Defense.

A very sociable lady, she enjoyed her membership in the Oxford Birthday Club and her McDonough Woman’s bowling team. Mariba enjoyed spending time at Lake Ludlow and Genegantslet Lake with her family and friends.

She was a volunteer with the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.

She was proud of having memorized the 23rd Psalm.

She was a great cook. Her family remembers the fantastic holiday dinners that she prepared (alone, no one came into her kitchen while she was at work).

We will miss her pancakes, chocolate cake, chicken and biscuits and parsnip stew.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 2:30 PM at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, NY with Rev. Michaela St. Marie officiating.

Burial will follow in Union Cemetery, McDonough, NY.

Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home on Friday, July 20, 2018 from 1:00 PM until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the McDonough Fire Department, PO Box 99, McDonough, NY 13801.

Friends and family may share their memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com