Carol Ford

Carol A. Ford (nee Stegeman) of Linthicum Heights, MD passed away on December 11th at the age of 83. Beloved wife of Dennis D. Ford; devoted mother of Robert D. (Virginia) Ford of Glen Burnie, MD, and David A. (Julie Walsh) Ford of Hoboken, NJ, and proud grandmother of Sarah M. Ford of Glen Burnie, MD.

Born and raised in Quincy, IL, Carol was the first child of Floyd C. (Bud) Stegeman and Mildred A. Stegeman (nee VandenBoom). After attending Notre Dame High School in Quincy, IL, she received a degree in special education for the deaf from Illinois State University, where she met the love of her life, Dennis Ford. They started their married life in 1966 in Germany, where Dennis was stationed with the Army and where their first son was born.

Assisting the hearing impaired was Carol's life's work, first as a teacher of the deaf in Libertyville, IL, then at the Maryland School for the Deaf. After taking night classes at Gallaudet University, she became a sign language interpreter. She spent 20 years as an interpreter with the Centralized Interpreter Referral Service, part of the Hearing and Speech Agency in Baltimore. Her interpreter duties were quite varied, ranging from doctor appointments, rehearsals with deaf actors, college classes, Sunday Masses, to many events with various dignitaries including Presidents and First Ladies. Carol's most cherished assignment was being in the sanctuary at the Baltimore Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, interpreting for Pope John Paul II in 1995.

Carol was extremely kind, considerate, and had a great sense of humor. She was a devout Catholic and active member of St. Philip Neri Parish in Linthicum Heights and enjoyed being part of the Crestwood Homemakers Club for over 40 years. In addition, Carol never met a card game she didn't like. In 2005, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She was an inspiration to many with the way she dealt with the challenges of that situation.

Carol is survived by Dennis (Denny) Ford, her husband of 59 years, her sons, daughters-in-law, and granddaughter. Also surviving are her siblings, John (the late Betsy) Stegeman of Falmouth, MA, Kay Stegeman of St Louis, MO, Jim (Susan) Stegeman of Springfield, IL, and Sherri (Patrick) Thompson of West Hartford, CT, in-laws Susan and Tom Chambers of Littleton, CO, and Mary Ann Ford of Bloomington, IL, and special friends who have always been like family since their days of living in Germany together... Wes & Pat Brockway and Linda & Duane Ward, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Carol will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her, love her, and play cards with her.

A visitation/Celebration of Life will be held on January 8, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Clubhouse at Avalon located at 811 Concord Circle, Linthicum, MD 21090. There will be an additional visitation on January 9, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church (6405 S. Orchard Rd., Linthicum, MD 21090), with a funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Carol A. Ford may be made to Covenant House in New York City.