Baker city, Oregon
Ann Morrow Ward, 88, of Baker City, died June 28, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2130 Second St. The Rev. Dick Thew will preside at Holy Eucharist.
Ann was born on July 18, 1917, at Pinckneyville, Ill. She was baptized in the Methodist Church there. Her father was a civil engineer so consequently they moved a lot.
Ann attended eight different schools in eight years. Finally, they settled at Lincoln, Ill., where she played in the school orchestra.
Ann attended McMurray College at Jacksonville, Ill., where she was a music major. At a very young age, Ann dreamed of playing the violin in the Chicago Symphony. However, women were not allowed and besides that her father didn’t want her to play the violin because it took up too much room when they were moving. He wanted her to play the clarinet because it would break down and fit into a smaller case.
She and Gaylord Ward were married in March of 1941. Gaylord went into the service after the attack on Pearl Harbor. When he got out of the service, they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he attended medical school. Ann said that she had many jobs at that time.
Ann and Gaylord lived at San Francisco where he did his residency. After he completed his residency they moved to Baker City where he opened his practice. Their daughter, Stacy, was born on Sept. 8, 1962, and survives Ann. Ann was extremely proud of Stacy and her accomplishments.
Ann loved animals and had many dogs over the years. She and Gaylord were avid birders and did bird counts. She also was an avid reader.
Ann was a very faithful member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. She played the organ and piano there and was active in a study group for 20-plus years. She is remembered for her beautiful soprano voice and her knowledge of the Bible.
Often, during Bible study groups with the Rev. Rustin Kimsey, he would refer to Bible verses and say, “Is that right, Ann?” She knew the answers, and she read her Bible regularly.
Ann had members of her church family with her 24 hours a day for the last three days before she died.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother. Her mother, Maybell, lived with Ann and Gaylord prior to her death.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 30, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor