Dorothy Balzli Ford

Dorothy Balzli Ford, age 83, of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away Sunday, October 24, 2021, surrounded by her family. Dorothy was born in Mobile, Alabama to Daniel and Marguerite Balzli. She was a graduate of Bishop Toolen High School and later studied at Loyola University New Orleans and Spring Hill College before ultimately settling in Fairhope, Alabama with her husband of 60 years, Michael “Mike” Ford. Family and faith were at the center of Dorothy’s life. Her most profound joy in life came from being a dedicated wife to Mike and selfless mother to her eight children. Whether serving as chauffeur for seemingly never-ending sporting events and after school activities, handing out bag lunches as kids rushed to meet the bus, sewing formal gowns for her daughters, working the baseball concession stand or watching over a gaggle of kids and cousins at the bay, she always did so with the utmost style and grace – rarely without perfectly applied lipstick. She was never more content than when making a lemon pie or getting ready to host one of the always expanding family holiday gatherings at her home. She made everyone she encountered feel special and loved. Dorothy was a longtime member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church where she served as a member of the Ladies’ Altar Sodality and as an Ecumenical Minister to the sick and homebound. She was often referred to as a “saint” by those who knew her as she never had a mean thing to say about anyone. The grace and dignity with which she courageously faced Parkinson’s disease and other tragedies and obstacles in her life was truly exemplary. Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Michael Aloysius Ford, Sr., and her son, David Ford. Dorothy is survived by her seven children: Michael Ford, Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada; Danny (Chandra) Ford of Fairhope, Alabama; Mena (Rodney) Sandoz of Long Beach, Mississippi; Patrick Ford of Fairhope, Alabama; Amy (Vince) Molyneux of Fairhope, Alabama; Mara (Billy) Hodes of Kansas City, Missouri; and Megan (Asheton) Sawyer of Fairhope, Alabama; 25 grandchildren: David, Jacob, Peter, Mary, William, Katy and Elizabeth Ford; Leah (Reese) Sloan, Michael, Sarah and Gabriel Sandoz; Joshua and Marco Molyneux; Billy, Maggie, Matthew, Lucy, Francie, Danny, Charlie and Dory Hodes; Asheton, Wells, Bennett and Mabel Sawyer; and one great-grandchild, Willa Ford. She also leaves behind to cherish her memory, three siblings, Marcele Wong, Robert (Ellen) Balzli and Daniel (Ruth) Balzli, Jr.; numerous nieces and nephews and other loving relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Fairhope, Alabama, on Friday, October 29th, 2021, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Little Sisters of the Poor or Catholic Charities.