Mary Louise Ward

Mary Louise Ward was born February 7, 1931, in Santa Ana, California, to William and Bess (Trompeter) Neville. She passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2016, in La Habra, California, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimers.



Mary grew up and went to school in Costa Mesa, California, graduating from Newport Harbor High School in 1948. She chose love over college, marrying the love of her life, David J. Ward, on August 6, 1949, at St. Joachim Church in Costa Mesa. After a few years in Los Angeles, Mary and David settled in Whittier, California, where they raised their five children.



Selfless, loving, loyal, good friend, and devoted mother all describe Mary. She loved her children dearly and found it particularly difficult to tell them no. A devoted Catholic, her family was among the early parishioners at St. Gregory the Great Church in Whittier. She was a member of the Whittier Emblem Club and enjoyed bowling, going to the beach, reading and traveling. Hawaii was her favorite destination. Mary also found great pleasure in her volunteer work at PIH Health Hospital in Whittier.



She is survived by her children, Pat Ward, Kathleen (Carl) Stout, Karen (Mitchell) Martinez, Sharon (Jeff) Woodard, and Michael (Mary Jo) Ward; grandchildren, Christopher Stout, Sarah Stout, and Joshua Martinez; and great-granddaughter, Renee Ward. Her husband, David J. Ward, and grandson, Patrick Grant Ward, preceded her in death.



Private interment took place at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, California.