Faith Ward, a longtime resident of New Hamburg, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. She was 85.

Daughter of the late Thomas and Frances (Emerson) Ward, she was born in Chicago, IL on August 27, 1930. She earned a bachelor's degree from New York University, where she studied to become an occupational therapist, and had a long distinguished career with the Veterans Administration. One of her first V.A. jobs was in Cleveland, where she lived with Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member Hank Greenberg and his family. Her work with and for Veterans continued and culminated in many years working at Castle Point in the Hudson Valley.

During her life, Faith had an interest in aviation and received a commercial pilot's license. She also played for the U.S. Field Hockey Team, through which she traveled to Bermuda and Wales, and almost qualified for the Olympics.

Faith was an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Chelsea and was also very involved with St. Nicholas-on-the-Hudson in New Hamburg. She dedicated countless hours volunteering for the church, where she made a host of friends. She was well known for her regard for and devotion to the interest of others.

As an advocate for conservation, recycling was a demonstration of her regard and respect for the world around her. Faith was a well-known volunteer for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, including many years as a coordinator of the "litter pickers" at the Great Hudson River Revival along with the late Toshi Seeger. She cherished her home which sits alongside the Hudson and always appreciated the local area's natural beauty.

Her friends will remember Faith as someone who was "always there" for them, always there for the Church, and always there for the Earth. Everyone she knew loved her beyond description. Faith was a gentle and generous soul. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by a brother, Michael Ward & his wife Alexandra of Santa Fe, NM; and countless dear friends whom she considered to be part of her family.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 9th at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Chelsea, NY with a time for visitation commencing at 3:30pm followed by the Memorial Service at 5:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 252, Chelsea, NY 12512.
Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc. For online tributes and memorial donations, you can visit Faith's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.