Mary "Diane" Zitzmann Ford's Obituary
With her daughter and son at her side witnessing her beautiful and peaceful passing, Mary "Diane" Zitzmann Ford entered eternal life on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the age of 82. She was a native of New Orleans, lived in Gentilly and Chalmette, and was a resident of Mandeville for the past 28 years where she was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death and reunited with her husband and best friend of nearly 53 years, Victor Reynolds Ford III; her son, Darrin Jude Ford; her parents Edith Shirley Wichterich Zitzmann and Frederick Joseph Zitzmann, Sr.; along with her grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Renee Ford Johnson (John) and Christopher R. Ford (Rose Aceves) (Keri Ford, former daughter-in-law); grandchildren Corey, Ryan, and Mark Johnson, and Colby Ford and Kirsten Ford Needham (Mason); great-granddaughter Kenzley Needham; She is also survived by her siblings Frederick Joseph Zitzmann, Jr. (the late, Kathy) and Cynthia Zitzmann Garrett (Jim); nieces and nephews Jennifer Z. Nuccio (Jason), Scott Zitzmann (Sue), Brian Zitzmann (Christine), Jeffrey Zitzmann (Amy), Amy G. Manos (Norman), Kimberly G. Kubicek (Matt), Jeffrey Garrett, and numerous great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Growing up she was a tomboy and enjoyed her young life playing baseball and climbing trees with her brother, cousins, and friends around their Gentilly neighborhood. She searched for pallets of wood that the nearby grocery store was discarding and would build things like a wooden scooter with her brother. When her younger sister came along, she would take her along wherever she went. She was a graduate of St. James Major, the Academy of the Holy Angels, and attended Loyola University for Accounting and Business. At a very young age she had the ambition and ingenuity to become an entrepreneur. Her very first job was at Levitan’s Clothing Store when she was in 8th grade, and throughout high school she worked for Grant’s Department Store where she met her sweetheart and best friend for life. After graduating high school, she was employed by Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company for a few years before becoming self-employed. She enjoyed a long successful career in Tupperware Sales for 45 years. She and her husband were one of the first few vendors to sell in the French Market in the French Quarter on weekends selling their creations of acrylic clackers and grapes, mold poured and painted plaques, and dipped resin flowers.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her strong feelings of service and helping others were influenced by her parents and grandparents and are the values that she instilled in her children. She would always go out of her way to help others. She was also a great cook, one who didn’t follow a recipe but created delicious meals and wanted everyone to gather and partake in. She was very creative and had a gift basket business as a side hustle. She enjoyed family gatherings around the holidays where jigsaw puzzles would be a collaborative family challenge, and at Christmas time she and her husband would set up elaborate Christmas village displays. She was a people person with a heart of gold and wanted to share her faith, experiences, give advice, spread joy, and brighten the day of everyone she met.
She is remembered for her sense of humor, as hardworking, a great cook, selfless, kindhearted and the Tupperware Lady. She was generous and made friends quite easily. She touched the lives of many people that she encountered. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Diane Ford to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org . She was passionate about helping the wounded service men and women.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial services at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W 21st Avenue, Covington LA 70433 on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with visitation on Saturday beginning at 9:30 AM, the Rosary at 10:30 followed by Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The Ford family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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