Helen Ward

Helen Elizabeth (Mayer) Ward, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. Helen was born in Parma, Michigan on March 10, 1923, the daughter of Anna (Smith) and Arthur Mayer. She attended Parma High School and graduated from Jackson High School, class of 1940. In 1941, she was a student at Jackson Junior College. Helen graduated from the Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit, class of 1944 and was a Senior Cadet in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. Her unconquered spirit and strong determination helped her overcome infantile paralysis (polio), with which she was stricken while in nursing school, and she became an inspiration to others fighting the same disease.

Helen chose nursing as her career and devoted her life as an angel of mercy - a nurse. She was Director of Nurses at Rivard's Nursing Home and Director of Nurses at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, both in St. Johns. She retired from Hazel I. Findlay to follow her passion - sewing - and she opened the store, Creative Fabrics & Crafts, on May 16, 1988 in downtown St. Johns. Before she opened her store, she had been creating crafts at home, calling her business Grandma's Attic - she especially loved the teddy bears and country geese she created. She enjoyed sewing, gardening (another passion), researching genealogy on her family as well as her husband, Wayne's family, spending time with her husband; especially watching MASH and Saturday morning movies, girls' day out with her sister Sue, daughter Wendy and granddaughter Sarah, long talks and visits with her son, Scott (and wife, Jeri), from Tucson, Arizona and spending time with her family and friends. Helen was especially devoted to her five grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her husband, Wayne, children, Wendy Ward, William Scott (Jeri) Ward, a sister, Suzanne (Milo) Bernardon, five grandchildren, Sarah Ward, Kaelyn Ward, Dylan Ward, Nicholas Ward, Todd Ward, as well as several nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her three sons, James Ward, John Ward and Steve Ward, a brother, Donald Mayer, and her parents, Anna (Smith) and Arthur Mayer.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 (her birthday) at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John's Episcopal Church, 400 E. Walker Street, in St. Johns, with the Reverend Richard Anderson officiating. A private burial will be held by her family at a later date at Mount Rest Cemetery in St. Johns.

Memorial contributions can be made to the St. John's Episcopal Church. Arrangements by Osgood Funeral Home.