Mary E. Ward (Armstrong) died on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Glen Hill Center in Danbury, CT, after a heroic seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born on June 1, 1931, to Margaret Burns and George Armstrong in New York City. Mary grew up in New York City. She was married to the late Thomas F. Ward, Jr. for 42 years. Mary is survived by her four children: Mary Fitzpatrick (John) of Danbury; Gloria Carroll (Bill) of Brooklyn; Thomas Ward III (Tracy) of Floral Park; and Patricia Barrett (Danny) of Newtown. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren—sadly, one grandson, Tommy, predeceased her in 1999.
Mary worked for Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company for 20 years. When she retired, she became very active in the Verplanck and Cortlandt, NY Senior Clubs, holding offices in both clubs including president and vice president. Mary was inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2001 for all her volunteer work in her community. Mary’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff and nurses (Thelma, Karla, Dorothy, Amanda, James, Ana, Tara) of Glen Hill Center for their extraordinary care of our mother over the past seven years. You are all truly unsung heroes. We would also like to thank Helen and Amanda from Life Choice Hospice who helped make her final days as comfortable as possible. Services were held at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., in Newtown, CT on Oct. 13. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in St. Rose of Lima Church, Newtown on Oct. 14, with interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mary’s name (class of 1949): Cathedral High School, Development & Advancement Office, 350 East 56 St., New York, NY 10022.
