Mary Z. Ward | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: November 04, 1914, Died: August 17, 2013

    Mary Ziemba Ward, age 98, went home with our Lord on Saturday August 17, 2013.

    She was born in Brooklyn NY, five years following her parent’s voyage from Poland to Ellis Island, NY. She attended a Polish Catholic School from 1921-1922. The family then moved to Medford, Long Island where she attended 3rd-6th grade. Mary then went on with her family to reside in Patchogue, NY where she attended high school. In 1931, she graduated from South Shore Secretarial School where she learned typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping.

    During the depression she worked for a wealthy family as their nanny and housekeeper so she could help feed and clothe her eight siblings.

In 1941-1945, Mary worked for Judge Reich. In 1945, she went to work for A&P stores as their bookkeeper where she stayed employed until retirement in 1973.

    Mary married William F. Ward and helped raise her stepdaughter Mary Lou Muller. Mary and her husband Bill moved to North Port, FL in 1974 where they enjoyed many years of fishing, boating and entertaining.

    She survived her four brothers: John, Stanley, Tony and Tommy Ziemba. She also survived her four sisters: Fannie, Sophie, Stella and Ann. She was blessed with numerous nieces and nephews, across the country.

    In her later years of life when unable to live alone, she moved to NC to be with her niece and family.

    She acquired many friends in NC. One couple especially, Mary and Vic Clark, who faithfully took her to church and led her to Christ, shopping, lunches, outings, and showered her with love, affection, time and visits.

    Memorial services will be held Thursday August 22, 2013 at 7:00 PM at the Fellowship Baptist Church with Pastor John Keeter.

    She will be laid to rest in Washington Memorial Park, Coram, NY next to her husband, Bill.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Ward family.