Cecilia Mary (Butler) Ward, 79, of South Dartmouth, died early Monday morning June 19, 2006 in her home in Padanaram.
She was the beloved wife of Dr. Richard J. Ward, former Dean of the School of Business at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and mother of four children, Timothy J. Ward, Esq., and his wife Judge Virginia (McIntyre) Ward, of Bridgwater, Richard J. Ward, Jr., and his wife Jane (Lothscheutz) Ward, of Chantilly, VA, Mary Elizabeth (Ward) Bencks and her husband Douglas Bencks, of Durham, NH, and Christopher Butler Ward, and his wife Patricia (Kelly) Ward, of Milford. Mrs. Ward leaves eight grandchildren: Ryan, Collin, Alison, Matthew and Stephen Ward, and Devin, Jarrett and Aaron Bencks. She is also survived be her sister, Elaine (Butler) DiCesare of Kennebunkport, Maine; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late John Butler and Ruane (Butler) George.
Born in Lewiston, Maine, Cecilia was a Blue Ribbon-winning equestrian and Valedictorian of her class at Lewiston High School, where her father had been Principal before his untimely death when Cecilia was 13 years old. She graduated from Trinity College in Washington in 1947 and began a career in radio that showcased her remarkable talent and passion for dramatic readings of poetry and stories. Cecilia also showed her flare for conversation at WLAM in Lewiston with on-air interviews of celebrities of the day, including legendary jazz drummer Gene Krupa, boxer Joe Louis, poet Robert Frost and Brigadier General McAuliffe (renowned for his response "Nuts!" to the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge). She also worked at WNEW, an ABC affiliate in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where her husband was completing his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, and where her two eldest children were born. Cecilia brought English-language literature to life for many in the diplomatic corps with her work at the Hashemite Broadcasting Company in Amman, Jordan, during her husband's two-year brief with the U.S. Foreign Aid Agency in the early 1960's. Dramatic renditions of poetry and prose were a lifelong passion for Cecilia, one she shared generously with friends and family, even after her loss of vision made memorization more difficult.
As president of the U.S. Foreign Women's Association, Cecilia met numerous dignitaries and potentates, including King Hussein of Jordan, with whom she danced at a state function in Jordan. She shared the same beguiling wit and charm with neighbors and passersby. Locally, she was a marketing assistant and manager of the Dartmouth Branch of Fairhaven Savings Bank (now Citizens) and a member, past-president and officer of the Womens' Luncheon Club, the Mothers' Club, the University of Massachusetts Library Associates and the Book Club.
Friends and family admired Cecilia's quiet courage in coping with more than 40 years of diabetes and other assorted illnesses and accidents that affected her health but never dampened her spirit. She enjoyed a large family reunion earlier this month, which included a ride on the Carousel at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH. She was a gracious, accomplished lady, compassionate mother, devoted friend, loving spouse and companion, with an abiding faith in God and family. To know her was to love her. Her last evening was spent joyfully, surrounded by her family celebrating Father's Day at the Ward home in Padanaram.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 AM in St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Visiting hours Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.
CECILIA B. WARD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth Foundation has established a scholarship fund in honor of Cecilia. Donations may be forwarded to and checks made payable to:
UMass-Dartmouth Foundation, Memo: Cecilia B. Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300