Jane Ford Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Jane H. Ford announces her peaceful passing on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the age of 87. Jane passed away at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, MA, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.

Jane was a dynamic person and enjoyed a rich life. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, created an impressive 30-year career and had a sense of adventure living and traveling all over the world.

Born in Pawtucket, RI, Jane was the beloved only child of the late William and Elizabeth (Kelley) Tormey. She was a proud graduate of Bay View High School in Pawtucket. Shortly thereafter, Jane's sense of adventure led her to leave Pawtucket with her first husband Peter to pursue their life goals together of starting a family, living in different geographies and charting their career paths. Jane and Peter raised 3 children, Mary Beth, Amy and Peter Gregory, while spending meaningful years living in Indiana, Paris (France), Texas, and Delaware, before making Massachusetts their final home. Jane had a love and unwavering dedication to her family, always putting her children and family first.

While raising her children, Jane started her career in the early 1980s within the Boxford, Massachusetts school lunch program before joining the Billerica Public Schools where she rose to Director of Food Service until her retirement in 2005. Jane was an industry leader, serving on the boards of numerous governmental and industry bodies and served as the President of the Massachusetts School Food Service Association (now the School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts). Jane was immensely proud of her career and her passionate, trailblazing contribution to the promotion of public school nutrition. Jane was a respected industry leader, receiving both national and international recognition from governmental agencies and industry bodies for her important work in advancing access to and promotion of nutrition in public schools. Despite this impressive career, Jane always put her children and family first. She somehow balanced attending school or sports activities and providing a home cooked dinner each evening while having managed a large public school food service system and driven policy change in school nutrition during the day.

Upon retirement in 2005, Jane was happiest when with her beloved partner, John, and spending time with her children and grandchildren, particularly during summers in Biddeford Pool, Maine where they shared a home. It was her enduring spirit of adventure that led Jane and John to travel extensively during retirement not only across the US, but also to further afield to Europe and Asia.

Jane is survived by her partner John Doerr of Haverhill, MA and her loving family, children Mary Beth Torosian and her husband Peter E. of Atkinson, NH, Amy Vaillancourt and her husband Joseph of Methuen, MA, Peter Ford and his wife Adrienne of London, England; grandchildren Peter C., Jason, Sarah, Lizah, Emma, Nolan, and Charlotte; great grandchildren Emily, Allison, and Winslow.

Jane was a role model to and admired by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and will be remembered for her commitment to and sacrifice for her family, her resilience, her compassion, her integrity, her strength and her determination. Her memory will be treasured forever.

In accordance with Jane's wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Jane's memory are encouraged to perform an act of kindness in her name or make a donation to a charity of one's choice.