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BORN
1967
DIED
2020
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Mary Ward Obituary
Fayetteville—Mary Margaret Mollica-Ward, 53, of Fayetteville NC passed away Friday November 6, 2020 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center after a brief illness.
Mary was born February 15, 1967 in Syracuse NY. She attended Jamesville Dewitt high school graduating in 1985. She obtained her Associates Degree from SUNY Mohawk Valley and then went on to complete her education at LeMoyne College graduating with a Bachelors' Degree. Mary resided in the Syracuse area for the majority of her life making lifelong friends and sharing her artistry and love with so many. She moved to Fayetteville NC in 2017.
She found her joy in an art teaching position at Capitol Encore Academy where she was involved with a prayer group among her fellow teachers. Mary loved working with her students and admiring art, especially the works of Frida Kahlo. Mary would ask her students to "live on through their art and continue to pursue their dreams".
She was a faithful member of Manna Church where she enjoyed worshipping and serving with the congregation. No matter the challenges she faced, Mary always found the time to help others and lift them up in her prayers. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother (Lolli), daughter, and sister whose smile lit up every room and her creativity and artistry was reflected in every aspect of her life.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Jerry Ward; her son Joshua Ward (Kirsten Tegtmeyer); her daughters Kaitlyn Ward (Brent Lowery) and Hannah Robbins (Dalton Robbins); her grandson Liam Ward; her parents Kathy and Barry Silvers; her brother Dominick Mollica (Laura Mollica) & their son Christian, her sister Michelle Mollica; step sisters Sara Willis, Susan Warren, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and her beloved dog Mugs. She was predeceased by her father, Benjamin Mollica, as well as paternal and maternal grandparents.
A memorial service will be held Saturday November 14, 2020 at 12pm at the Manna Church Executive Place Site, 630 Executive Place, Fayetteville, NC 28305. The family is also planning an additional service to be held in Florida at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com
Services are entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Ward
Sponsored by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.
Daniel Hershkowitz
April 9, 2021
Mary was a childhood friend from Syracuse. She and Michelle and DJ lived just down the block. Even then, she was kind and generous. I am so sorry for her family and her friends, and her community. To her daughter, whom I don’t know and have not met, I admired your beautiful mom and her strength and compassion, and I admire how you have been leading the charge and organizing the family and advocating for her favorite projects and causes. I will be donating to the Art Scholarship amd Award in her name at our High School.
Cheryl
November 14, 2020
My cousin Mary, such beautiful memories of family fun, gatherings. Holiday's. I am the oldest on my mothers side of my cousins. Mary second oldest, it deeply saddens me that she is gone. How I wish I could have made Thanksgiving last year, and so many attempts we tried to coordinate a reunion. I will always regret that we didn't get together. I pray her family finds peace, is encircled in the love of family and friends. My cousin will suffer no more. Every rainbow I see will remind me of her. Rest in peace my beautiful cousin Mary. We all love you.
Cheryl
Jen Linscheer Schneider
November 13, 2020
I knew Mary during
High school in DeWitt, NY.
She was the most beautiful, natural young lady there. She always had a smile and a twinkle in her eyes.
I've enjoyed reading her posts and keeping up with her life, which includes her family. I will miss this very much.
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Chuck E.
November 12, 2020
Not sure what to say....we are all in shock. There is anger (for Covid-19). But her beautiful soul is now in heaven.
Carrie Ernst
November 11, 2020
Mary Ward was the kind of woman & mother that everyone strives to be. We met at LCC when there was maybe 15 members. I was probably 12 years old at the time. She always welcomed everyone with loving open arms. She was always there to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Eventhough our paths separated over the years, she had a habit of leaving a Mary shaped imprint on your heart & soul. I remember when I was maybe 15 & a gentleman of our church son had passed away & they weren't sure that he was a Christian. I remember sitting in the back room unable to attend the service because I was really upset. Mary sat with me the entire time & consoled me & prayed with me. She always treated me as if I was her own daughter. I was bullied alot growing up & she would always tell me how beautiful my soul was & that I should never let anyone steal that away from me. My heart breaks as I think how empty this world is without Mary in it. Heaven definitely gained an amazing angel. She went through so much in her life but always had that God given fight in her to never give up. I admired that so much. Even during some of my hardest challenges in life when I had given up on myself, I heard her voice saying "you are beautiful, you are worth it & don't give up." She kept me going in times I wanted to give up. God puts people in our lives for a reason. Even if it's for a season or a lifetime or just to teach us something. There is a reason we cross paths with everyone. Mary brought joy & hope to so many. She will always hold a special place in my heart. And I'm eternally grateful that God gave me the opportunity to know such a wonderful woman. I love you Mary Ward
Angela Hill
November 11, 2020
Ward, as I call everyone by their last name at the school, really saved me when Brownlee, the former art teacher, left TCEA. I knew we needed someone with a BIG personality to fill that space and she did. Although she wasn't the loudest voice in the room she definitely brought her passion, heart, and laughter to every discussion and event at TCEA. After leaving the school, I had the chance to learn more about Mary, although I still called her Ward. We laughed together and more importantly she prayed for me during my darkest months. Her passion and spirit will live on in the staff and students at TCEA and we will never forget her beauty and light. Thank you to her family for sharing her with us. I am praying peace over all of you.
Hannah Robbins
November 11, 2020
My mommy was such an amazing woman and loved so deeply. Everyone she met, she welcomed with wide open arms and love. She never met a stranger. She was so gentle yet so passionate. She overcame so many obstacles in her life but she always remained steadfast. She was a woman of faith and held onto God even in her last hours. She was an artist and I know she is in heaven painting the skies for us. Every rainbow, every sunset.. she painted it. She’s also teaching the angels how to paint or she’s the art teacher at the school lol Thank you God for loving my mother and taking care of her. Please give her a kiss for me
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