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Mary Ward Obituary
PORTSMOUTH - On the morning of Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, Mary Lou (Bierweiler) Ward went to be with her husband, Carl, and our Lord. Mary Lou was five days from her 86th birthday. Mary Lou was born on Oct. 10, 1934, in Melrose, Mass. to John Willett Bierweiler and Edna May (Reardon) Bierweiler.
Mary Lou grew up in Portsmouth from an early age. She attended New Franklin Elementary School where she met many life-long friends. She attended Portsmouth High School, graduating in 1952. She attended the University of New Hampshire where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education in 1956.
Mary Lou started her teaching career in 1956 at Berwick Academy. From there she taught full time at Portsmouth High School until 1961. She also taught at St. Patrick Elementary School in 1973.
On February 15,1958, Mary Lou married the love of her life, Carl Ward. They had one daughter, Kathleen, in 1961.
Mary Lou was an Avon Lady for 50 years. She was one of the original "Ding, Dong, Avon Calling" Ladies. She loved meeting new people with every door she knocked on.
Mary Lou and Carl owned the Inn House Restaurant in Portsmouth for three years. She also worked for the Ice House in Rye for a number of years.
Mary Lou was a member of the Portsmouth College Woman's Club, The Altar Society of the Immaculate Conception Church, The Woman's Group of Corpus Christi Parish, and many educational groups. She enjoyed knitting, crafts, flea markets, and reading. She loved a good church bazaar, often time dressing as Mrs. Santa.
In 1993, her grandson, Jonathan, was born. He was the apple of her eye.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Carl (1992), her brothers-in-law Walter Ward, Clyde Ward, Reginald Smith, Richard Smith, and a sister-in-law Marilyn Kyllonen.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Ward Collyer and her companion Alan Bucklin of North Hampton, Her grandson, Jonathan Collyer and his fiancé Elise of North Hampton, Her brothers-in-law Ronald Smith (Kim) , Larry Ward (Stephanie), sisters-in-law Ann Smith, Betty Smith, Marilyn Justice, many nieces and nephews, and cousins.
SERVICES: Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Farrell Funeral Home, 684 State St., Portsmouth, N.H. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the temporary Chapel at the Corpus Christi Parish Center, 845 Woodbury Avenue, Portsmouth, N.H. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Rye Lions Scholarship Fund, PO Box 446, Rye, NH 03870.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by Farrell Funeral Home, Inc..
Thomas DeBlois
January 14, 2021
Kathleen, sorry for your lost. I had Mrs. Ward as a substitute teacher when I was a student at St. Patrick's in the 1970's! I loved her. I always enjoyed running into her at pic-n-pay and sometimes at church. She was a special lady and will be missed by many. God Bless you and your family.
Nancy L Hanscom
October 17, 2020
Marylou, I will miss you. alot. I truly enjoyed our chats. I will miss my Avon lady and also miss Kathy, the Apple of your eyes. I will miss your laughter that you had . Your time has come,now it's your turn to rest. Goodbye my friend , I will miss your words of encourage ment, and the many talks we had. But most of all, I will miss my friend. God bless and Godspeed
Your friend
Nancy Hanscom
Cindy Denault
October 15, 2020
Kathleen,
I was sorry to read of your mom's passing. I remember her and your dad well from the old days at BJ's Restaurant in Portsmouth, where my mom, Kathleen Pike, worked. Mary Lou was her Avon lady and friend. I hope all of your fond memories will help you through this difficult time. Take good care,
Cindy
Carol boire
October 14, 2020
Marymount was a calming soul and gracious and a delight to be with.
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Jeanine Orthman
October 10, 2020
Rest easy my friend. I will miss you. It was my pleasure to care for you, I will never forget you. Kathy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathleen Mccabe
October 10, 2020
You were 1 of my Mothers dearest friends! So sorry for your loss Kathleen
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