Shirley M. Ward

Troy- Ward, Shirley Marie Bowman Shirley Marie Ward, 96, died August 28, 2017 at the Van Rensselaer Manor. Born February 28, 1921 in Utica, NY, daughter of the late John Emmet and Marie Patrick Bowman, Shirley lived her early life on her family's farm in Plainfield Center, NY; attended a one room school house in Plainfield and later the West Winfield Central School in West Winfield, NY. On January 27, 1940, she married Kenneth Burnett Ward, moved to Waterbury, CT and in 1944 back to West Winfield where she worked as a home health aide and, with her husband, owned and operated Ken's Appliance and Novelties Store, retiring in 1978 to Lake Worth, FL. She was instrumental in the development of the West Winfield Girl Scout Lone Troop One, served as a Scout leader for 15 years and with her husband and friend Edna Lewis built Locus Lodge a camp for Lone Troop One and scout troops in neighboring communities, a picnic area open to the community, and an in-town scout meeting barn. She served as a Sunday School teacher in the Federated Church in West Winfield and later in the Community Christian Church in Lake Worth, FL. She is fondly remembered as caring, creative and fun loving by the many people whose lives she touched especially by her children and grandchildren. She is survived by two sons, Bruce (Becky) Ward of Herkimer, NY and John Ward of Utica, NY; three daughters, Patricia Ward (Don) VanHoesen of Troy, NY; Lisa Ward (Gilbert) Garza of Lake Worth, FL, and Deborah Ward (Greg) Farrar of Cape Coral, FL; 22 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to friend and caregiver Charlotte Harrington of Troy, NY. She is predeceased by her husband Kenneth of 63 years, a son James Ward, her parents John and Marie Bowman, brothers John, Richard and Gary Bowman, sisters Madelyn Gonyea and Greta Cleary and grandson Nick Nowery. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday September 9th at the West Winfield Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to attend. The family requests that donations be made to the Van Rensselaer Manor, 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180.