Evelyn F. Ward
November 6, 1935 - October 29, 2019
Mrs. Evelyn F. Ward, age 83, of New Castle, DE, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
Born in Davy, WV on November 6, 1935, Mrs. Ward was a daughter of the late Earl and Amanda (Laxton) Patrick. She retired from her role as a bus aid for special needs children from the Colonial School District after 13 years of service.
She was a loving mom and “mom-mom,” a devout Christian, and member of the New Castle United Methodist Church, where she greatly enjoyed helping with all types of church projects and fundraisers, and loved being around people where she was sure to light up a room.
Evelyn’s passions included: baking, where she was known for her brownies and peanut butter balls that she often gifted to family and friends; spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, weekly luncheons with “the girls,” special outings with neighbors Terri and Bob and Phyllis and John; and golf cart rides and eating ice cream with her son in-law, Kevin during her winter getaways to Florida.
Evelyn filled everyone’s hearts with joy and could always make people laugh. Her smile, sense of humor, feistiness and giving spirit will be deeply missed.
Evelyn, and her husband of 52 years, Lester, participated in the Family Services Foster Care Adoption program of Delaware. While nurturing their own children, they spent 5 years, caring for over 30 foster children, allowing them to find their way to loving adoptive families.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her best friend and beloved husband, Lester G. Ward; her son, Lester G. Ward III; two brothers, Norman Patrick and Earl Patrick Jr.; 2 sisters, Doris Wingler (Patrick) and Shirley Wilkerson (Patrick); and grandson, Joshua Ward. She is survived by daughter, Patty Bertelsen and her husband, Kevin, of Florida; son, Jeffrey Ward, of Pennsylvania; 2 brothers: Thomas Patrick and his wife, Vivian, of Virginia and Eulon Patrick and his wife Iris of Florida; sister, Anita “Susie” Frazier (Patrick), of North Carolina; 4 grandchildren, Jeffrey, wife Natalie; Lester, companion Wendy, Michelle Davis, husband Bryan, and Amber Newcomb; and 3 great grandchildren, Gavin, Bennett, and Joshua. She will also be missed by nieces and nephews and by special neighbors and neighbor’s children, who were like her own grandchildren, Robert, Jamie, Christopher, Debra, Kathy, Jennifer, Lori and Kim; as well as Dolores Gary and her very caring family.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 12 pm on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at New Castle UM Church, 510 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720, where a funeral service will begin at 12 pm. Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Evelyn’s memory to New Castle UM Church at the address listed above.
Clint and Sheila Bertelsen
We are deeply sorry about the loss of Mrs Ward. Our hearts go out to your family and wish you comfort and peace in these difficult times. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.
David Messel
I only knew her by Mom. However I know her son and the light she instilled in him shines greatly through him. Thursday afternoon calls on the way to dinner will be missed. Jeff my heart goes out to you and your family. I wish you peace and joy in your memories.
your friend, David.
Brian Speicher
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this time of mourning. While I never had the honor to meet Mrs. Evelyn, I knew she must have been a very special person, based upon conversations with my coworker and friend Jeff Ward. I too recall that no matter what was going on, Thursday evenings were reserved for his mom.
Toni Lusk
Loved her smiles and laughs. Forever in my heart! So sorry for your loss. Truly one of a kind. 🙏
Pam
I am so sorry to hear of Aunt Evelyn passing. We would talk on the phone and laugh at things in the past. I love you Aunt Evelyn and am going to miss you. So sorry Patty and Jeff. Lots of love. Sissy
Amanda Ward
Mom mom Ward ily and miss you i want to ty so very much for your part in raising Josh Sr to bevthe man he was not a day goes by that i dont think of him and now you are w him ly always im gonna miss our talks and visits may you rest in peace and rejoice that you are w the loved ones gone before you…ly always ty for reminding me the last time we spoke that when i was most lost after Josh had passed that i was always family never once did i ever question it after that ly always ….Amanda, Evelyn, Michael, and Joshua Jr. Ward
Gerry Ward Vass
Evelyn Ward was my mother-in-law for 20 years she was like a second mother to me she taught me many things I loved her very deeply the greatest joy I remember with Evelyn was the birth of her two grandchildren Lester the 4th Joshua Nathan years later the birth her great-grandson Gavin and Joshua Junior Evelyn you will be deeply missed by many loving people thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the best mother in law grandmother to my children I could ever ask for. Evelyn you will be forever in my heart loveyou
Missy Dougherty
Evelyn was more than a friend she was a person that cared, listened, walked with you when you were sad and laughed with you. She had a smile on her face no matter what was going on. Her jokes will be missed, her presence at our birthday dinners, parties and holidays, along with her yummy peanut butter balls and dance candy pretzels. Thank you Patty for letting us share her time with us. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten. My family sends our deepest condolences to all of you. Now Lester has his love back and they will be together for eternity . Hugs and prayers. Love,
Missy, Chuck, Camryn, Danielle, Rob, Scotty, and Danielle 💞🤗
Michael Beck
I’ve known Evelyn’s son Jeff for 20+ years, and had the privilege of knowing ‘Mom’ for much of that time. From Holiday parties to dinner at one of her favorite spots, she always came with her infectious smile and a hug. My deepest condolences to ‘Mom’s’ entire family – she will be greatly missed.
Jeff Thomas
What a lovely lady and neighbor. She would light up every time I saw her. So sorry for your loss. Such a sweetheart. RIP
Jeff Thomas
Mary Anne Conner
I cannot express the sorrow that I feel for you during this time of loss. Jeff, I am thinking about you and your family during this time.
My deepest condolences,
Mary Anne
Roger Walker
Deepest sympathy Jeff to you and your family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Roger & Susan Walker
Yolanda Evans
I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your beautiful Mother. I express my sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Miguel mike Matos
Jeff,
My condolences to you and your family on the pasting of your mother. You are in our hearts and prayers.
Shirley Sheats Brooks
Dear Jeff and Patty,
I was out of town when your mother passed. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. I remember a lot of evenings sitting on your front steps in Jefferson Farms with her and watching all of the foster kids. She was one of the kindest people I knew. Still miss those fun times of growing up on Monticello Blvd. My prayers are with you all.
Take care,
Shirley
Harvey Stephens
This tribute was beyond beautiful.