FORD, Rebecca Jane 1947 - 2022

FORD, WILLIAMS, HOENSHEL, FESSENDEN, WISEMAN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/9/2022 at 12:04:39

"Southeast Iowa Union / Fairfield Ledger"
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Page 6, Column 2

REBECCA JANE FORD
Ajijic, Mexico

Rebecca WILLIAMS FORD, a resident of Ajijic, Mexico, died August 2, 2022, at week before her 75th birthday, of complications from pancreatic cancer.

Rebecca was born August 9, 1947, in Fairfield, Iowa, the daughter of Robert WILLIAMS and Martha HOENSHEL WILLIAMS and the granddaughter of Walter E. and Olga WILLIAMS. Walter WILLIAMS was longtime publisher of the Fairfield Ledger, 1939-1974. Soon after her birth, Rebecca and family moved to Topeka, Kan., and later to Omaha and Oklahoma City.

As a student, Rebecca won a scholarship to University of the Seven Seas and World Campus Afloat (Chapman University), a study program at sea. This was a major influence in Rebecca's life, exposing her to diversity of cultures and creating a passion for international travel and adventure. She received a BA from the University of Oklahoma and a MA from Oklahoma State University.

In the 1970s, Rebecca moved to San Francisco, where she became a successful businesswoman and owner of Ford Real Estate.

Moving to Mexico in 2008, Rebecca was active in the Mexican community of Ajijic, speaking fluent Spanish and making many friends. She loved to dance, especially danzon, and participated at Sunday events in the Ajijic plaza. She also performed at the prestigious Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara.

Rebecca was an accomplished photographer, creating calendars and participating in collective and individual exhibitions, locally and at the Ex-Convento del Carmen in Guadalajara.

Rebecca was a gardener and traveled internationally to botanical and private gardens, enriching her home garden and identifying unusual species. She also loved to cook and studied in Oaxaca, Singapore, and France. Her motto was "Eat well and travel often."

Rebecca practiced yoga for more than 30 years. Her yoga practice enabled her to enjoy a quality of life and travel during the three years after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Her final wish was to visit Paris with her spouse. Shortly after return to her beloved Mexico, she succumbed to the deadly illness.

Rebecca is survived by her spouse and partner of 14 years, Xill FESSENDEN of Ajijic, Mexico; her brother, Robert WILLIAMS and sister-in-law Donna WISEMAN WILLIAMS of Johnston, Iowa; niece, Danielle WILLIAMS of Waukee, and nephews, Christopher WILLIAMS of Urbandale. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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