The Life of ZYLPHIA S FORD

Age 95, of Pittsburgh, PA, born February 22, 1925 in Chicago, IL. Louise passed away from COVID-19 on February 19, 2021, just shy of her 96th birthday. Louise was a loving mother and auntie, a social butterfly, a stylish dresser, a whiz at playing bridge, lucky at the slots, a devoted member of Sixth Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, and built strong friendships everywhere she went. She married Leon I. Ford in 1949 and they moved to Pittsburgh in 1956. Louise and Leon were happily married for 61 years until he passed in 2010. Louise previously served on nonprofit boards of Planned Parenthood of Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Youth, Mars (PA) Home for the Youth, and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and worked at a daycare center on the South Side for several years. Pre-pandemic, she played with several bridge clubs monthly. She previously served as a deacon and an elder and sang in the choir at Sixth Presbyterian Church for decades until she decided that she didn't want to become the little old lady who sang off key. Louise was a longtime member of two social clubs of African American women, The Northeasterns and the Circle-Lets, where she was currently serving as the Pittsburgh chapter president. Louise is survived by her daughters, Zylphia Ford and Jeannette (Ford) Peters; son-in-law, Eric Peters; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sixth Presbyterian Church, 1688 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or Three Rivers Youth, Director of Development and Organizational Development, 6117 Broad St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206. A virtual Memorial Service celebrating her life will take place on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 2 p.m. FH inquiries 412-241-7998.