Mary Dianne Ford's Obituary
Mary Dianne Ford, 69, of Decatur, passed away Monday, February 25, 2019 at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Dianne was born on March 3, 1949 in Decatur, the daughter of Donald and Isabelle (McCormick) Perry.
Survivors include her mother, Isabelle Perry; her significant other, Jay Ambrosini of Decatur; a daughter, Amy Themer of Bloominton; a son, Jason Themer of Tacoma, Washington; four sisters, Teresa (Frank) Milburn of Seattle, Washington, Betsy Matters of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Chris Perry of Washington, Indiana, and Corrine (Mike) McClanahan of Cottonwood, Arizona; a brother, Joe (Janet) Perry of Decatur; three granddaughters, Kayla (Anthony) Monik of Thornton, Colorado, Kenna Themer of Bourbonnais, and Kassie Themer of Port Orchard, Washington; great grandson, Lucian Monik; and many special nieces and nephews and a large group of cousins who she adored. She was preceded in death by her father, Donald, and her infant sister, Anne Marie.
A graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, Dianne attended Eastern Illinois University for two years and started her family there in Charleston. She moved to Danville in 1981 before returning to Decatur in 1988. She proudly worked in healthcare her whole career, retiring from St. Mary’s Imaging Center to travel with the love of her life, Jay Ambrosini. She and Jay spent the last 15 plus years traveling the country in their motor coach, spending winters at their home in La Quinta, California, and summers at Jay’s cottage in Interlochen, Michigan, where they enjoyed attending music performances at Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Dianne was committed to her immediate and extended family, both near and far, and she always enjoyed having a house full of family and friends for any occasion. She was a generous and thoughtful person with a bright spirit, positive attitude, and brilliant sense of humor. She often quoted her dad’s personal philosophy of “you never go wrong by doing right,” was not one to give up, and made lasting connections easily due to her curious nature along with her wit and wisdom. She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.
The family will be holding a private service at Moran and Goebel Funeral Home in Decatur. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Decatur and Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation.
The family of Mary Dianne Ford is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.moranandgoebel.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?