BEEKMAN – Faith V. Ward, 80, a resident of Poughquag, died on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 surrounded by her family at Vassar Brothers Medical Center following a brief illness.
Born on February 11, 1931 in Danbury, CT, she was the daughter of the late Charles P. and Anna Cunningham Venus. Faith grew up in Pawling and was a 1948 graduate of Pawling High School. A graduate of the Lenox Hill School of Nursing in New York City, she was a Registered Nurse for Dr. Steven Taft in Red Oaks Mills until her retirement.
On October 12, 1958, she married C. Fred Ward at St. John the Evangelist Church in Pawling. Mr. Ward predeceased her on April 21, 2000.
Faith was a devoted and faithful member of St. Denis Church, where she was a Eucharistic Minister, a past Parish Council member and trustee, a Hearts and Hands volunteer, and a member of the Altar Rosary Society, the Sacred Heart Enthronement, and the Silver Lining Club. Faith professed into the Most Holy Stigmata Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans. She also volunteered for Pastoral Care at Vassar Brothers Medical Center and the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, as well as many other organizations.
She is survived by her children, Mary Ellen Ward, Christopher Ward, and Susan E. Ward and her spouse, Dr. Lisa Pleban; her grandchildren, Sarah Ward Whiteley and Emily Anna Whiteley; her sister, Patricia Venus; her brother, Charles P. Venus, Jr. and his wife Rae; many nieces and nephews; and her furry feline friend, Becky. She was also predeceased by her son, Richard F. Ward on July 19, 1981, and her sisters, Ann Sheridan and Mary Lou Honan.
Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for Faith during her illness, especially Dr. Lee, Alison, Julie, Linda, and Liz.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-6 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10 am at St. Denis Church, 602 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction. Interment will follow at St. Denis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Denis Church, PO Box 10, Hopewell Jct., NY 12533 or Alzheimer's Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
For driving directions, memorial donations, or online condolences, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.