On Saturday, March 7, 2026, Genie Ford, MSIA’s “Matriarch”, celebrated her 100th birthday.
Family and friends gathered from Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, joining Genie and approximately 50 of her housemates at a lovely, assisted living center in Arkansas to honor and celebrate her.
Genie’s daughter Staci, who has cared for Genie for many years, organized a beautiful afternoon birthday party for her mother.
The first part of the afternoon we celebrated in a private room – just friends and family spending time with and sharing with Genie.
Stu and Candace Semigran with Genie and her grandson, Jonathon.
Mary Ann Downs and Candace enjoying Genie sharing with friends.
Next, the party moved to the large dining room where about 50 of Genie’s housemates joined in singing happy birthday and enjoying cake and ice cream.
Genie Ford at her 100th birthday celebration.
When one of Genie’s caregivers placed the large sheet cake in front of her, and told her it was time to blow out her candles, Genie asked, “I have to blow out 100 candles?” To which the response was, “No, Genie, only three – 100 – so after everyone sang happy birthday, the candles were lit and one-by-one Genie blew them out! She was then given a stack of about 50 birthday cards her housemates had made for her the previous day. One of her friends said to her, “Happy 100th Genie! I’m not sure I want to live to be 100. How do you do it?” Genie replied, “Just don’t advertise it!”
Prior to the party, Mary Ann and I had a little private time to share with Genie in her room. Showing us photos of J-R and John she keeps on a little table next to her chair, she shared how happy she is, what a blessed life she lives, and how wonderful the staff are at her home. We shared happy birthday messages with her from John and Leigh and many of her MSIA friends. She asked me to give you all her love – and she said, “As I get older, my love grows bigger!”
God bless our dear friend Genie Ford. May her days be filled with Light, love, and the blessings of Spirit.
GENIE FORD – A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
A Few Highlights
For those of you who may not know Genie,
MSIA’s “Matriarch”, here are a few highlights
of her MSIA life from the time she met J-R in 1967
to her 100th birthday celebration March 7, 2026.
1967
- Met J-R in at art gallery in Whittier, CA when he was a guest speaker and realized he was her teacher
- Helped organize some of the first J-R seminars in Southern California
1969
- Began years of volunteering including helping Pauli and Candy duplicate and mail Discourses in the early days
- Began holding weekly audio and then later video J-R/MSIA seminars in her home
- Ordained as a Minister in MSIA
- Appointed by J-R to be Permanent Ministerial Board Secretary
1975
- Received Minister of the Year Award at MSIA Conference
2016
- Received Lifetime Service Award at MSIA’s 2016 Conference
For decades
- Volunteered for many years and then served as an MSIA staff member for several decades until retiring from staff in 2020 at age 94.
2026
- Celebrated her 100th Birthday
- Continues to minister to herself, her family, her housemates and staff at the assisted living center where she lives, her friends, her MSIA family and the world – sending Light and loving daily.
Dearest Genie,
Many blessings of love and light always,
Loving you, gwen upchurch perrone
Genie,
You are the embodiment of dedication to the Christ and the practice of living love. What an inspiration you are to us ALL!
Hello Beloved Kay,
This is Rita Hassing. I live in Georgia now, where my son and my grandkids live. I’m on the Southern Ministerial Board now. Love and Light to you. I didn’t know Genie, but I have heard about her.
Happy birthday Genie. Wow, what an amazing force you are. many thanks for your unwavering service. It was my pleasure to visit you when you came to Vegas for your vacation. Love m, light and blessings, Lucrezia.
Genie
Thank you for always demonstrating the importance of the integrity of the Ministerial body. And I’ll always treasure the times I would answer the phone and hear “Dave? Genie Ford”
Love you
Happy Birthday!
Dave Wright
A happy and a very Blessed 100th Birthday to you.
My thoughts have often been with you over the years from when I 1st. met you at Lake Arrowhead Retreat with J.R. 1977. It was my first trip from Australia with the Deanshaws as their nanny for their 2 children. At the retreat you took me under your loving wing ,making sure I was well taken care off. I treasure that time in my heart and treasure you.
With much Loving, Grace and Light ahead for H.G.
Romana
Romana Davis / maiden: Knobloch
Much, much love to you Genie. It has been an honor and a pleasure knowing and loving you all these years.
May God always bless you and keep you close.
– Jeff Kelber
Dear Genie,
You are an example of strength in loving, and being aligned with SPIRIT! I send Light and Loving to you for the coming days. May they be filled with continuing opportunities to minister to those around you as you do what you do so beautifully and authentically being
Genie Ford!
Love, Miriam Goldstein
Beloved Genie,
Thank you for your gifts and your presence in service to the Lord. I have held you in high regard for always being yourself in the loving and strength of God’s Light.
Blessings ahead for the Highest Good.
Thank you, Lord!
Beloved Genie you were the first minister who met me when I arrived in Los Angeles, for the first LA conference. You were a very gracious host and I treasure your friendship always. Love Nathalie
My dearest Genie, I have always been so inspired by your dedication to the Travelers and our Ministerial community. I am so blessed to have known you and been guided by your love and your wisdom… you are a special shining light to me in my ministry. Love you