Patricia "Patty" Ann Ford

If you’re reading this, it means Patty Ford finally did something rare, dramatic, and impossible to top—she became one in 100,000. That’s right, leave it to our mom to go out in a way only she could: by being diagnosed with ALL leukemia, a disease so rare in someone her age that the doctors double-checked their textbooks. Twice. But if anyone was going to pull off the unexpected, it was Patty.

Born Patricia Ann Ford on November 2, 1953, in Wichita, Kansas, to Floy Vern Ford and Mary Alice Hall, Patty packed more love and laughter into her 71 years than most people do in a dozen lifetimes.

She lived, loved, and laughed (often) in Wichita her entire life, proudly serving her community in more ways than one. She wore many hats—church secretary at Grace Baptist Church (shoutout to the Grace Girls!), volunteer at Christian Challenge School, dependable face at State Farm, and ultimately, Traffic Safety Officer and department retiree from the Wichita Police Department, where she worked a ridiculous number of jobs—because apparently, retirement wasn’t going to earn itself. She worked in Records, helping people get their police reports and helping officers who ran out of tickets (yes, that’s a thing) or needed a case pulled for court. She served in SPIDER—the unit with the coolest name—where she ran warrant checks and whispered the fates of suspects into radios like it was Mission Impossible. She worked on the Case Desk, taking police reports over the phone for non-violent crimes (because sometimes calling the cops means getting Patty instead of sirens, and honestly, that’s a win). And yes—she even worked with the undercover unit. Was it like you see in the movies? Absolutely. Think John Wick, but with more forms, more coffee, and a lot more common sense.

After retirement, she found her second calling—vacationing like it was a full-time job (pun intended). She worked for Marriott Hotels and took that travel discount seriously! She was happiest with her toes in the sand, a cruise ship buffet in view, and a slot machine nearby calling her name (which she could always hear, oddly enough).

She loved Branson. She loved Elvis (and never accepted that he had actually left the building). She loved books, writing stories of her own, and being the star of everyone else’s. But above all, she loved her family. Her children and grandchildren were the center of her orbit, and she had a gravitational pull that made everyone feel like they were her favorite—even if we’re pretty sure it was actually Charlie.

Patty is survived by her children, Charles (Jean) Byers, Tiffany (Nick) Ribordy, and Megan (Ryan) Deitchler; along with her cherished grandchildren, Tobey (Jordan) Byers, Haley Byers, Heath (Emma) Roberts, Jaxon Byers, Tomi Roberts, Mason Deitchler, and Riley Ribordy—who all knew that Grandma Patty’s love was fierce, funny, and forever.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Floy and Mary Ford. We’re certain they were waiting with open arms—and maybe a fresh deck of cards.

Patty’s legacy is one of humor, sass, compassion, loyalty, and unwavering faith. Her laugh was loud, her opinions louder, and her love the loudest of all. She will be missed, celebrated, and talked about for generations to come.

We love you, Mom. Say hi to Elvis for us.

Visitation will be at 9:00 am, Memorial Service will be at 10:00 am, Friday, August 8, 2025, at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka St., Wichita, KS 67211. The family requests you wear blue – they hope you think of the beach when you remember Patricia.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.