Mary Theresa (Tanona) Ford-O'Connor

Mary Theresa Tanona Ford-O’Connor, 95, died peacefully on October 21, 2022. Terri, as she was known, was born on February 20, 1927 in Worcester, the youngest of eight children of Polish immigrants Daniel and Mary (Dubowik) Tanona, and raised on Vernon Hill. Terri was fiercely proud of her Polish heritage. She attended St. Mary’s Grammar School, Classical High School, and Saint Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse at Saint Vincent’s Hospital for over 30 years, ending her career as a nursing supervisor.

She married John M. Ford, Jr. in 1950. Together they raised their seven children in the Tatnuck section of Worcester until his passing in 1970. After retirement she moved to South Dennis where she enjoyed the northside beaches. She did some volunteer work, most recently at the VNA Thriftique thrift shop. She loved having her children and grandchildren visit her on the Cape. It was there that she reconnected with Thomas P. O’Connor, also from Worcester. They married in 1993 and lived together in South Dennis until his passing in 2016.

Terri leaves her children John and his wife Linda of West Boylston, David of Worcester, Mary Beth Davidson of South Dennis, Suellen of South Yarmouth, Daniel of Fryeburg, ME, and Francis and his wife Melissa (Morano) of Worcester. She leaves 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and the family of Thomas P. O’Connor. She also leaves her beloved dog Sandee. She was predeceased by her oldest child Judith Ann Ritchie, her parents, and her siblings Statia, Daniel, Joseph, Wanda (Hamm), John Albert “Albie”, Bernadette, and Jadwiga.

Calling hours in Worcester at Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street, Worcester, MA will be held on Wednesday, October 26, from 3:00 to 7:00PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Saint Pius X Church, 5 Barbara Street, South Yarmouth, MA on Friday, October 28 at 11:00 with calling hours from 10:00 to 10:30, immediately before, at Chapman Funeral Home, 58 Long Pond Drive, Yarmouth MA.

The family would like to thank Visiting Angels, The VNA of Cape Cod Hospice, and Shannon List, NP of Cape Cod Cardiology.

Burial will be private at the Bourne National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the charity of your choice.