Ellie was born July 8, 1934 in New Port, NH to Stanley and Jennie (Mrockoski) Sombric. She grew up in Manchester, CT and graduated from Manchester High School in 1951. A few years later she joined the Air Force. After which she attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Denver, CO.

On April 21, 1963 Ellie was united in marriage to Francis Gualdo Ford at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Denver, CO. The couple lived in Colorado for several years and then moved to Minnesota, back to Colorado, and in 1974 settled in Grand Island. Through the years she worked as a nurse and raised her family.

Ellie was involved in various Bible studies and prayer chains. She was a dedicated prayer warrior and faithfully read her Bible. She loved to help people and offered a listening ear and council to her friends. Ellie loved to travel back East to visit family. When friends and family visited there were always cookies or brownies to snack on. Ellie also volunteered her time at the Salvation Army.

Ellie is survived by her husband, Francis of Grand Island; sons, Stephen (Ginny) Ford of Covina, CA and Richard (Renee) Ford of Franklin, TN; grandsons, David and Michael Ford; brother, David Sombric (JoAnne) of Manchester, CT; and sister, Dorothy Bradley of Santa Fe, NM.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Stanley Sombric, Paul Sombric, and Henry Sombric; and brother-in-law, Donald Bradley.

Eleanor (Ellie) Ford, 80, of Grand Island died Friday, July 18, 2014 at Tiffany Square in Grand Island. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at St. Mary's Cathedral with Father Richard Pointkowski officiating. Burial will be at the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-8 pm with a Rosary service at 7 pm at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to Food for the Poor or World Vision.