Teri Lynn Ward

1963 - 2022

TERI LYNN (SHUMAN) WARD

September 3, 1963 April 15, 2022

After a long and courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), Teri was released from her earthly burdens, surrounded with love by family and friends. A lifelong resident, she was born in Bakersfield to parents Wesley Shuman and Sharon (Hawthorne) McMahon. She attended local schools: Highland Elementary, Standard Jr High and North High School.

Teri was beautiful inside and out. She was an intelligent, strong, graceful woman, but most importantly, she fiercely loved with all her heart. Those of us fortunate enough to be in her inner circle will always cherish her wit, devotion, generosity and loyalty. She was an adoring wife, mother, grandmother and La-La.

Teri and her husband Jim Ward married June 6, 1998 in Morro Bay, CA. It was a small intimate ceremony, attended by close friends and family, followed by an epic reception.

Teri worked in bookkeeping and accounting all her adult life. She was the office manager and in-house accountant for ProBuilt Homes, a local homebuilding company co-founded by her brother Mark Shuman and her brother from another mother Chris Hayden. She and Jim also established two businesses of their own, Ward Concrete and Essex Homes. Her financial acumen and business skills contributed greatly to their success.

Teri enjoyed traveling, including trips to New York City, London, Cardiff, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Dallas, Seattle, Victoria BC, her annual trip to their timeshare on the island of Maui, Coastal and Napa wine tasting. She also loved the simple things in life like a great meal and glass of wine shared with close friends.

Teri loved the California coast and was elated when a second home was acquired at Hollywood Beach in Oxnard, California. Many years later, Jim and Teri relocated around the corner to Channel Islands Harbor Marina where they enjoyed entertaining, boat rides, and late nights on the deck dancing and singing to classic rock. Teri spent twenty years of her life basking in beautiful weather, with friends and family, enjoying different restaurants and simply relaxing.

Teri sure loved her music. She attended Prince, Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Buffet, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, Katy Perry, Maroon Five, and many more. She also attended two very special private party venues with INXS and Five for Fighting. Not only a music lover but also A HUGE NFL FAN. She was a lifelong Howie Long and Raiders fan. She and her husband Jim never missed a single divisional playoff or Super Bowl game together since 1997.

Teri was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Lee and Louis Hawthorne, paternal grandparents, Walter and Berenyce Shuman, step brother Mike McMahon and step father George McMahon. As well as tragically preceded by her grandson Uriah Prendez and her son Jared Plank. Both unbearably taken from her way too soon.

Teri is survived by her mother Sharon McMahon, aunt Marilyn Douglas, aunt Mona Hanson, father Wesley (Sandy) Shuman, brother Mark (Ada) Shuman, step sister Tisha (Melvin) Russell and step brother Steve McMahon, nieces Summer, Sydney, Shandy and Carlie, nephews Brodie, Jacob and Levi. Daughter in law Ruth Prendez, extended family, many close friends and most importantly, her husband Jim Ward.

A special thanks to her best friend Carla Smith for the special bond shared with Teri throughout her journey. Carla's husband Jeff Smith, Dawn and Tom Cook, Ruth Prendez, Rachel Mele, Kim Wright, Alyssa Hellmund, Around the Clock Healthcare and more specifically, nurse Emmy. Teri loved each and every one of you to the moon and back. Your love, care and attention gave her the encouragement and strength to fight hard throughout this illness.

At Teri's request there will be no formal services. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Jim would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Raise a glass in her memory and please consider a donation to donate.als.org/Donate or a charity of your choice.

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