BIOGRAPHY

Mazie Ford was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, on 28 June 1906. She was the fifth of eight children born to Clara and Louis Cherry. Ford often credited her parents for inspiring her creativity — her father was an ornamental ironworker, and her mother sewed all of the children’s clothing by hand.

At the age of 16, she married Harry Golin. Together, they raised two children — a daughter, Johann, and a son, Charles Golin, who passed away before her. Ford and her husband transformed a small neighborhood butcher shop into a successful wholesale meat business serving the Philadelphia area, providing both Kosher and non-Kosher meats to their customers.

After the passing of her first husband in 1978, Ford later married Newton Ford. Her second husband passed away after 19 years of marriage.

She was known for her love of flowers and enjoyed staying active, often playing tennis and golf. She also played bridge and Mah-jongg. Over the years, Ford knitted more than 5,000 colorful caps for newborns at Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood.

At the age of 100, Ford planned and hosted her own birthday celebration, personally crafting all the decorations — including 50 intricately beaded butterflies.

Ford passed away in Hallandale Beach, Florida, USA, on 6 May 2019, at the age of 112 years, 312 days. She was survived by four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Ford’s age was validated by the GRG on 9 July 2018.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Broward’s Oldest Resident Donates Her Time To The County’s Newest” – WLRN, 1 December 2017

* “Florida’s oldest resident, Mazie Ford, dies at 112” – Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2019

* “She lived to be almost 113, and thought as Florida’s oldest. What was her secret?” – Miami Herald, 3 June 2019

GALLERY