On Friday, December 21, 2018, Judith Ellen (Ford) McCans passed away at the age of 72, surrounded by her family at Wellspan Gettysburg Hospital.

Judy was born in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, on February 13, 1946. She lived with her family in Jersey Shore; Culver City, CA ; and Doylestown, PA, before moving to Gettysburg, PA, with her husband, Donnie McCans. Judy graduated from West Chester State Teachers College and became an elementary school teacher. At one point, Judy was one of five Fords teaching simultaneously in the Central Bucks School District. From 1978 until her retirement in 2004, Judy taught in the Conewago Valley School District in New Oxford, PA, where she became a reading specialist and took great joy in helping struggling readers succeed. In retirement, Judy worked part-time at the FCC in Gettysburg, where her late husband had worked.

Judy was a loving daughter, cousin, wife, aunt and friend, caring devotedly for her husband, Donnie, a veteran with service-related disabilities, as well as her mother during the final years of her life. Her family and friends cherished her infectious humor, her patience and positivity, her love of children, and the delight she took in her pets, Rudy the puggle and Sammy the cat. Her nephews and great-nieces were very special to her, and she treasured long summertime visits and memorable road trips with them. Judy's generosity to people and organizations she cared about was exceptional. St. James Lutheran Church of Gettysburg was very important to her, and her faith, as well as the friendship and support of her pastors and the church community, sustained her through the loss of her husband and her own ill health.

Judy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald D. McCans; brother Thomas G. Ford, Jr.; and parents Thomas Glenn and Amy Louise (Zaner) Ford. She is survived by her sister Mary Lou Dallam (William), nephews Thomas Ford (Matthew Hodgson), and David Ford (Heidi) as well as great-nieces and cousins.

A service to celebrate Judy's life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, December 28, at St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA, with Rev. Andrew Geib officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 6 to 8 PM at Peters Funeral Home, 321 Carlisle St, Gettysburg, PA, and then again on Friday from 10 AM until the time of the service at the church. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James at the address listed above.

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