Leighla Whipper Ford -September 22, 1913- May 2, 2008
Author, Songwriter, Former Co-Proprietor of The Spuyten Duyvil Restaurant
Leighla Whipper Ford passed away May 2, 2008 in Kingston, NY as a result of an accident in her Hudson Valley home.
Mrs.Ford was the co- proprietor with her mother Virginia Wheeler of the popular Spuyten Duyvil Restaurant of Saratoga Springs, NY between 1949 and 1986. The Spuyten Duyvil was a famous watering spot next to the bustling Sales Paddock where yearling horses are auctioned off.
She was a graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC and a member of the prestigious Stylus Club there. Later, during her years residing in New York City she made her living as a journalist and a literary editor. There, she wrote for The People's Voice Newspaper and other periodicals. Among her memorable interviews were Mary Pickford ( while still in Washington, DC), the spiritual leader, Father Divine, Lon Chaney and Josephine Baker.
An author and songwriter, she published several mystery stories in The Saint Mystery Magazine and the Madrid anthology series Ojo Del Lynx ( Eye of the Lynx). Her memoir, entitled The Pretty Way Home was published by Writers Club Press in 2003. A novel will be published posthumously. A member of ASCAP, she wrote tropical songs with haunting lyrics, creating many folios that are widely distributed today throughout the world.
An inveterate traveler, Mrs.Ford made several early crossings in the 50s by boat to Europe on the French ocean liners The Isle de France and the Liberté. Then, focusing primarily on Mexico she divided her time between Saratoga Springs and Mexico City. In Saratoga she formed a team with her mother and her daughter taking on the management of the Spuyten Duyvil. While in Mexico, she was an afficionada of the Corrida and the founder of the Saratoga Peña, a club that encouraged aspiring young matadors.
Born into a prestigious family that encompassed the wide ranging areas of literary excellence, theater, medicine and social activism, she was the daughter of the noted actor of stage and screen, Leigh Whipper ( The Ox Bow Incident is one of his important film roles.) and Virginia Eva Wheeler, a talented dancer in the early chorus lines of the 20s and 30s. She was the niece of Dr. Ionia Rollin Whipper founder of the Ionia Rollin Whipper home in Washington, DC. Her grandmother, author Frances Anne Rollin was the author of the earliest known diary by a black southern woman, and the author of the first full length biography by a black person. (The Life and Public Services of Martin R. Delaney, 1868 ).
Her marriage to prominent sociologist Hylan G. Lewis ended in divorce in the late 40s and she was widowed during a second marriage to restaurateur Norman Ford in the 50s.
In recent years Mrs. Ford had made her home in the Hudson Valley, residing in Kingston, NY where she enjoyed playing her piano, writing, painting and crocheting.
She is survived by her daughter, Carole Ione Lewis, three grandsons, Alessandro, Santiago and Antonio Bovoso and eight great grandchildren. Entombment will take place in the Trinity Church Cemetery, in Manhattan, NY.
Leighla Whipper Ford passed away May 2, 2008 in Kingston, NY as a result of an accident in her Hudson Valley home.
Mrs.Ford was the co- proprietor with her mother Virginia Wheeler of the popular Spuyten Duyvil Restaurant of Saratoga Springs, NY between 1949 and 1986. The Spuyten Duyvil was a famous watering spot next to the bustling Sales Paddock where yearling horses are auctioned off.
She was a graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC and a member of the prestigious Stylus Club there. Later, during her years residing in New York City she made her living as a journalist and a literary editor. There, she wrote for The People's Voice Newspaper and other periodicals. Among her memorable interviews were Mary Pickford ( while still in Washington, DC), the spiritual leader, Father Divine, Lon Chaney and Josephine Baker.
An author and songwriter, she published several mystery stories in The Saint Mystery Magazine and the Madrid anthology series Ojo Del Lynx ( Eye of the Lynx). Her memoir, entitled The Pretty Way Home was published by Writers Club Press in 2003. A novel will be published posthumously. A member of ASCAP, she wrote tropical songs with haunting lyrics, creating many folios that are widely distributed today throughout the world.
An inveterate traveler, Mrs.Ford made several early crossings in the 50s by boat to Europe on the French ocean liners The Isle de France and the Liberté. Then, focusing primarily on Mexico she divided her time between Saratoga Springs and Mexico City. In Saratoga she formed a team with her mother and her daughter taking on the management of the Spuyten Duyvil. While in Mexico, she was an afficionada of the Corrida and the founder of the Saratoga Peña, a club that encouraged aspiring young matadors.
Born into a prestigious family that encompassed the wide ranging areas of literary excellence, theater, medicine and social activism, she was the daughter of the noted actor of stage and screen, Leigh Whipper ( The Ox Bow Incident is one of his important film roles.) and Virginia Eva Wheeler, a talented dancer in the early chorus lines of the 20s and 30s. She was the niece of Dr. Ionia Rollin Whipper founder of the Ionia Rollin Whipper home in Washington, DC. Her grandmother, author Frances Anne Rollin was the author of the earliest known diary by a black southern woman, and the author of the first full length biography by a black person. (The Life and Public Services of Martin R. Delaney, 1868 ).
Her marriage to prominent sociologist Hylan G. Lewis ended in divorce in the late 40s and she was widowed during a second marriage to restaurateur Norman Ford in the 50s.
In recent years Mrs. Ford had made her home in the Hudson Valley, residing in Kingston, NY where she enjoyed playing her piano, writing, painting and crocheting.
She is survived by her daughter, Carole Ione Lewis, three grandsons, Alessandro, Santiago and Antonio Bovoso and eight great grandchildren. Entombment will take place in the Trinity Church Cemetery, in Manhattan, NY.