Born in Stonewall Jackson Hospital on March 18, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Chester Bernard Goolrick Jr. and Mary Esten Cooke Goolrick. Educated in Lexington schools, she attended Boston University and worked in Massachusetts for a few years after.

Returning to Virginia, she worked at Brooks Metalcrafters before marrying Russell Seaton “Rusty” Ford and joining the family cattle business. She served for many years as secretary-treasurer of the Rockbridge SPCA, and every fall she could be found running the jewelry table at the Christmas bazaar of the former R.E. Lee Memorial Church. When CASA came to Rockbridge, she joined their core training group and served as a court-appointed child advocate until illness made it too difficult.

Among her children’s friends she was known as “Prairie Mom” for her calm, no-nonsense manner of dealing with emergencies big and small. Her lifelong support for family outdoor activities of all kinds took her to many sporting events, hunters’ feasts, trips to the beach, ski runs and boating excursions. Part of the original 1967 cast at Lime Kiln Theater, she oversaw its more recent successes as owner. Her cooking was the stuff of legend.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Alexis I. Willard (Burke) of Richmond and Jesse S. Ford (Martha) of Havertown, Pa.; and six delightful grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Cooke Goolrick. Brother C.B. Goolrick III (Faye) of Decatur, Ga., survives, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and special cousin John Esten Byers (Lexi) of Buena Vista.

Burial will take place in the family plot at Oak Grove Cemetery. There will be a celebration of her life at Enfield Farm in the springtime of 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Rockbridge SPCA or CASA of Rockbridge. N-G