Kathryn L Ward

Kathryn L. Ward of Webster passed on from this world on November 6, 2025, surrounded by close family relatives & friends. On October 22, 1947 Charles D. and Elizabeth B. (Orlowski) Ward welcomed their only daughter. In the earlier years Kathy grew up in the Thompson area of Connecticut, graduating from Tourtellotte High School. Being a Navy brat the family moved around and finally settled in central Florida. After high school Kathy continued her education and graduated from Providence College earning her law degree. It was then that Attorney Kathryn L. Ward started her career working for the FDIC in Washington DC while living in Falls Church, Virginia. This is where she became close lifetime friends with Michael Calhoun (deceased) along with "the kids" and Cara & Stephen Dobbins.
Retiring at an early age, Kathryn volunteered time at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM then Stony Point Center in Stony Point NY. When she finally decided to settle down, she came back to the area where she was born.
Her retirement years didn't slow her down. She celebrated her 70th birthday by throwing an old English Tea party, then on her 75th, a party was held at the Mohegan Bowling Alley, both of which were highly attended. She was an active bowler in the Tuesday night's Rick Social League on her team the Alley Katz. Joey Saad, Darren Mello & Rich Girouard had been teammates for nearly 10 years. She also bowled in the Thursday Morning Ladies Coffee League. She was involved with the Pearle L. Memorial Library, very often checking out books weekly to satisfy her desire & love of reading. While there she discovered the book club and the quilting group that she fondly enjoyed. She was an active pitch player on Thursday nights at the 200 Sportsman Club along with her partner Deborah Beando who, together, travelled to Ireland & Scotland in 2024. On Wednesday nights she played pitch at Golden Heights and was always tempted by the goodies that her friend Susan Smichinski made. In 2023 she was elected to be a Commissioner on the Webster Housing Authority and was instrumental in many policy changes to better serve the community.
Kathryn hosted all Holiday meals. Prior to allowing anyone to be seated, she gathered everyone together to hold hands and expressed gratitude for all they had and for all who were present. Those who will always be so dear to her are her cousin Joseph G. Saad II and his son & family Alexander & Kristen Zegarra and daughters Savannah & Aubrey and with her cousin and Goddaughter Linda M Dubuque and her son David Dubuque.
Kathryn was predeceased by her parents, a sister-in-law Nilsa (Marty) and a niece Kimberly (Pete). She leaves behind 2 brothers and their children. Peter and Patricia Ward of Oakland, Florida along with their children Kenneth Strickland Jr and Christine Rummel. Charles Martin (Marty) Ward and his wife Adalgiza of Deltona, Florida along with his children Sharli Ward and Tamara Cedre. She had a total of 9 great nieces & nephews.
Kathryn's funeral will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 15 at the Bartel Funeral Home, 33 Schofield Avenue, Dudley MA. Burial will be in St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery, Webster, MA. Calling hours will be Friday, November 14 from 6 to 8 PM and Saturday from 9 to10 AM at Bartel Funeral Home, 33 Schofield Avenue, Dudley, MA.
Donations may be made in Kathryn's memory to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude's Children Hospital.
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