Eunice Ford Williams, 97, passed away suddenly in Wellesley, MA on May 28, 2025. Her life was marked by commitment to family and civic engagement.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Eunice was the daughter of John J and Mary C Ford. She had two sisters, Evelyn and Sister Jean Ford, R.S.C.J., a prominent leader in the Society of the Sacred Heart. Eunice married Stephen Williams, a distinguished Harvard anthropologist and professor, in January 1962. Together, they raised two sons, S. John and Timothy.
After college, Eunice played an active role in several of John F. Kennedy’s political campaigns, including those in 1946, 1952, 1958, and 1960. She was particularly involved in supporting the campaign’s innovative ‘tea parties’ and other grassroot outreach efforts across the country. In a 1967 oral history interview, she reflected on the final days of the 1960 presidential campaign, offering insights into the energy and optimism of that era. In 2002, Eunice donated her personal papers and campaign materials to the JFK Library, ensuring that her contributions to American political history would be preserved for future generations.
After raising her family in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Eunice and Stephen spent their retirement years in Santa Fe, New Mexico where they enjoyed the region's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Stephen passed away in 2017, and Eunice returned to Wellesley continuing to be a cherished presence in the lives of her family and community until her passing.
She is survived by her sons, John and Timothy, John’s wife Lilia and two grandchildren, Michael and Nicholas. Her nephew Ford O’Connor was cherished throughout her life. Eunice Ford Williams will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to family, and her thoughtful contributions to community.
A Funeral Mass is planned at 10:30am on Friday June 27th, 2025 at St Ignatius Loyola Parish, 28 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Contributions are encouraged in Eunice’s memory to Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (newtoncountryday.org/give)