Tribute to their musical mother
Molly Shore
Sarah Ford has something to live for. The Burbank resident set those
words to music and hopes to hear them sung Saturday at a gala
honoring her.
Three years after Ford, 88, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease
in 1988, she wrote the words to a “Something to Live For,” a song
subsequently recorded by Ford’s daughters, April Colon-Haywood and
Matilda Haywood.
It is one of the songs they will perform at the black-tie dinner,
fashion show and concert to raise money for her care, Colon-Haywood
said.
Ford, who can no longer speak because of the dual strokes she
suffered six years ago, has been ill for four months.
But Colon-Haywood says her mother continues to celebrate life even
though doctors don’t hold out much hope for her recovery.
“When I come into the room, she is so happy, as if to say, ‘What
took you so long?’ ” Colon-Haywood said.
Matilda Haywood said that her mother, once a vibrant, take-charge
type of woman, refuses to give in to her illness.
“Over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that she wants the
best for us, and she’s hanging in there to see it happen,” Haywood
said.
Ford was in the nursing profession in Northern California until
she was 69. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as an extra in TV
shows, and began her songwriting career.
“People are coming from Northern California just for this because
they love Mrs. Sarah Ford,” Colon-Haywood said.