Barbara Ward May 30, 1932 - October 22, 2022

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

 Barbara Ward (May 30, 1932- October 22, 2022)

Lived an amazing and beautiful life. Mom was a loving spouse and mother. Barbara raised three men which made her tough. She finished her race on this earth gently and with grace. Her family was her sole focus, and she took care of them until the end. Mom fell and broke her hip July 1, 2022. This severally limited her ability to get around and her world became smaller. Mom received faithful care from family, Samaritian Village Staff and Hospice.

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Barbara was born in San Francisco to Katherine Grace Briggs and Joseph Page. She went to Mission Delores Catholic School. At age three years old she attended the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. Barbara met her husband in San Francisco while he was serving out his time in the Navy. Both came from difficult backgrounds of meager means, having to borrow money to get married. Mom’s support was integral to my father’s success. Upon the retirement of Dad and before he passed in 2006, they traveled 92 countries of the world. These travels included China when it first opened to the western world, travels in Russia and the Siberian desert on the trans-Siberian Railroad, Middle East, Africa, South America, Australia, and travel to the Antarctic via a Russian nuclear ice breaker. Mom and Dad were married 54 years. Their heavenly reunion must have been an amazing celebration.

As her son I was blessed to be by her side when she graduated from this world. Mom finished her race well. She provided generosity and encouragement while asking little in return.  She would want you to know how special you all are and how she hopes to see you again. Imagine all the new stories she will have to tell… Mom’s passing is heaven’s gain.

Barbara is survived by her son Ed Ward and daughter in law Lareesa Ward, family member Sherry Prescott; grandchildren Josh Ward, Kelly Ward Clayton and spouse Brian, Joe Ward, and spouse Catrina. She has four great-grandchildren, Katelyn Ward and Matthew Ward, children of Joe and Catrina Ward, Theo and Lilly, children of Josh Ward and Beth Walther. She has been preceded in passing by her son Jim Ward and her husband Ed Ward.

“I knew then why I had to suffer. The older we get; the more reasons God gives us to seek His comfort. In the end, He sends us just enough pain and suffering so that we will want to leave. If everything were perfect, we would never choose to go. He wants us to seek an end to our suffering because He wants us to want to come Home.” Kate McGahan

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Community Hospice at Hospiceheart.org or Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way Modesto, CA 95356.