Carolyn Frances Ward of Millis, MA died on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Beth Israel Hospital after a short illness. She passed peacefully, with her last words being "I love you" said to Jesus on the crucifix next to her bed.
Carolyn was born in Fresno, CA, the third of nine children to the late John and Ruth Bergen. Carolyn was the most loving and devoted of mothers to her children, Elizabeth Hobbib and her husband, William, of Needham, and Jennifer Ward of Boston. She was also the adoring and beloved Gidgey to her "best friend" and grandson, Joseph Hobbib. She is also survived by 3 brothers, John, Robert, and Charles, and 4 sisters, Margaret Bergen, Jeanne Whitney, Kathryn Brunsdon, and Janet Bergen.
Carolyn's legacy is best described by her faith and love. She loved the Holy Catholic Church as a child loves his mother, and she talked about Jesus, Mary and a whole entourage of favorite Saints as her dearest friends. Studying the Truths of the Catholic Faith brought her great joy. She was never more delighted than when recounting a lesson learned from a challenging sermon or good book. She was both gentle and tireless in passing along the Faith, whole and unadulterated, to her children and little grandson. The final few decades of her life were spent meticulously building a Catholic "library" with hundreds of volumes of carefully chosen books, all of which she had read and many of which she could quote from, to ensure the fullness of the faith would be passed on to future generations. She had a wealth of wisdom on the ways of God and had such great spiritual depth that her children relied on her judgement for decisions, both big and small.
Carolyn's unparalleled but gentle wit and silly sense of humor made her a delightful companion to children and adults alike. Children always fell in love with her immediately. She could find joy in any circumstance, somehow turning the heaviest cross into great blessing (or a wildly funny joke).
She will be missed most especially though for her overwhelming unconditional love. She was generous quite literally to a fault. It was not uncommon to find that a gift given her had passed quickly out of her hands to someone else, or that she'd done a very large favor for someone who had just recently hurt her in some way. She always gave far more than she ever received in return, especially to her children. Carolyn's love was so great her children could confess any mistake and get a very honest, exacting rebuke while still feeling tenderly loved and embraced. Her loving embrace and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed by friends and family alike.
Friends and relatives are invited to pay their respects during the visiting hours of 4-8pm on Friday, September 15 at Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA. 02132.
A traditional Catholic Requiem Mass will be offered on Saturday, Sept 16 at 10:30am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at the St. Benedict Center, 282 Still River Road, Still River, MA.
Carolyn was born in Fresno, CA, the third of nine children to the late John and Ruth Bergen. Carolyn was the most loving and devoted of mothers to her children, Elizabeth Hobbib and her husband, William, of Needham, and Jennifer Ward of Boston. She was also the adoring and beloved Gidgey to her "best friend" and grandson, Joseph Hobbib. She is also survived by 3 brothers, John, Robert, and Charles, and 4 sisters, Margaret Bergen, Jeanne Whitney, Kathryn Brunsdon, and Janet Bergen.
Carolyn's legacy is best described by her faith and love. She loved the Holy Catholic Church as a child loves his mother, and she talked about Jesus, Mary and a whole entourage of favorite Saints as her dearest friends. Studying the Truths of the Catholic Faith brought her great joy. She was never more delighted than when recounting a lesson learned from a challenging sermon or good book. She was both gentle and tireless in passing along the Faith, whole and unadulterated, to her children and little grandson. The final few decades of her life were spent meticulously building a Catholic "library" with hundreds of volumes of carefully chosen books, all of which she had read and many of which she could quote from, to ensure the fullness of the faith would be passed on to future generations. She had a wealth of wisdom on the ways of God and had such great spiritual depth that her children relied on her judgement for decisions, both big and small.
Carolyn's unparalleled but gentle wit and silly sense of humor made her a delightful companion to children and adults alike. Children always fell in love with her immediately. She could find joy in any circumstance, somehow turning the heaviest cross into great blessing (or a wildly funny joke).
She will be missed most especially though for her overwhelming unconditional love. She was generous quite literally to a fault. It was not uncommon to find that a gift given her had passed quickly out of her hands to someone else, or that she'd done a very large favor for someone who had just recently hurt her in some way. She always gave far more than she ever received in return, especially to her children. Carolyn's love was so great her children could confess any mistake and get a very honest, exacting rebuke while still feeling tenderly loved and embraced. Her loving embrace and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed by friends and family alike.
Friends and relatives are invited to pay their respects during the visiting hours of 4-8pm on Friday, September 15 at Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA. 02132.
A traditional Catholic Requiem Mass will be offered on Saturday, Sept 16 at 10:30am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at the St. Benedict Center, 282 Still River Road, Still River, MA.
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