- Date Of Birth: September 18, 1933
- Date Of Death: November 25, 2017
- State: Florida
Mary Ward was born in Missouri as Mary Lou to Marvin and Marie Staats. She spent a great deal of time growing up in the small town of Alba Missouri, living on a small farm with her brother, Bob, and her sister, Betty. In high school she moved to the big city, as she put it, of Tulsa, OK. She went on to college inTahlequah. OK where she was freshman homecoming queen, met Bill Harris and had three boys; Mike, Pat and Tim; while living in the Midwest.
The family moved to Florida in 1960 and eventually made it to Titusville. She was an amazing mother, attending every baseball and football game her kids every played. She also found time to work while taking care of her family, typing, yes typing, over 100 words a minute. “Kids,” now in their late 50’s, still comment on how much they liked “Mrs. Harris” when she worked at Jackson Jr. High School. After the kids left, Mary took up real estate and quickly made the “million dollar” club.
In 1980, she married Al Ward and spent the next 25 years enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
After Al passed away almost 10 years ago, Mary sought solace from close friend Gene Spilger who had also recently lost his wife, and the two continued traveling, golfing and enjoying life.
Seven years ago Mary was diagnosed with Dementia. The disease slowly took her ability to remember things and think clearly. But the disease never touched the best part of her, her spirit. She continued to dance, laugh, and enjoy life to the fullest till the very end.
Mary is survived by her sons, Mike and Tim, Tim’s wife Marty, her brother Bob and his wife Donna, grandson Scott, nieces and nephews Larry, Gloria, Pam, Randy, Curt, Michelle, and Sherry and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mary will best be remembered for her genuinely sweet personality, her smile and her devotion to family and friends. She lived a good life and touched so many lives by just being herself.
