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1936-2023
EAST LIVERPOOL - Elizabeth A. "Betty" Ward lived a good and beautiful life until her soul was called home Oct. 18, 2023. She was surrounded by her family.
Betty was born April 3,1936 along with her twin sister Peggy (Margaret) to parents Robert C. Graham and Bertha "Bette" Ferchaw Graham. Times were tough as it was the Depression and Betty's mom was diagnosed with tuberculosis soon after giving birth. Her mom was moved to the Rocky Glen TB Sanitarium where she lived out the remainder of her days. Betty recalled with tears in her eyes that she only got to visit her mom on three occasions over the next five years. She treasures a small angel ornament, a little porcelain doll and a white crocheted rabbit her mom made for her. Betty's twin sister succumbed to TB at the age of 7 months.
Betty was left to be raised by her grandparents and her Aunt Iris who was only a teenager. Her father remarried and started a new family in which she was not welcomed. The last few months of Betty's life she spoke daily about how she wished she could have known her mother and twin sister and she talked about how much she loved and missed Iris. She said she considered Iris her true mom and Guardian Angel.
Betty married her high school sweetheart, Gary P. Ward, May 30, 1958, at Ft. Knox, just before he was deployed to Germany. They spent over 50 wonderful years together. Sadly, Gary passed Dec. 23, 2011. She never stopped grieving her beloved over the past 12 years.
Betty was well accomplished in life despite her difficult beginning. When asked, she would say her greatest accomplishment was raising her family. She never felt she belonged when she was a child and now, she finally had a family of her own. She is survived by her two daughters Betsy L. Reed and Suzanne Mercer as well as her son-in-law John Mercer and grandchildren Jojo, Ethan and Jude Mercer. She beamed with pride when talking about her grandbabies. She also leaves behind her cousin Patricia "Patty" Farnsworth who was like a sister to her and her New Castle, Pa., relatives The Hamilton Family.
She was born in New Castle, Pa., and brought to East Liverpool, Ohio when she was 3 months old. She remained in East Liverpool the rest of her life. She was a graduate of St. Aloysius Catholic School and the Class of 1955 East Liverpool High School. She served on the Class of '55 Reunion Committee for many years. She was Catholic by faith and belonged to Holy Trinity Parish/St. Aloysius Church.
Betty was a wife, mother, homemaker and worked various retail stores since her high school
days. She was a successful Avon Lady for 50-plus years, earning President Club status each year. She was proud to be able to contribute to her family.
Betty was known to be a strong and independent woman and of course a bit stubborn at times. If you told her she could not do something, she would figure out a way to make it happen. She was proud to serve her community as a City Councilwoman for the 4th Ward for 18 years. She retired from political life in 2007 stating that "Serving on Council is not just two meetings a month. It's a full-time commitment."
Sadly, Betty's last year was plagued with loss of her memory and physical decline. Her journey ended rough, just as it had started. Betty was able to live out her days at home with the care of her daughter Suzanne and Ohio Living Hospice. Diane and Jess offered tremendous support to both Betty and her daughter.
She was preceded in death not only by her husband Gary, her parents, her "Proxy Mother" Iris Graham Gallagher and twin sister Peggy, but also her son-in-law Gary Reed and half-siblings Bobby and David Graham, Carol McQuade and several stepsisters and brothers. Betty loved angels and she loved her animal companions. She enjoyed watching TV and making "paperclip" angels to give to anyone she encountered. She was herself an angel to many stray kitties over the years.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the East Liverpool Spay and Neuter organization. Donations can be sent to the City Auditor in Betty's memory. Make checks out to the City Auditor: Marilyn Bosco 126 W. 6th Street East Liverpool, OH 43920.
Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home Sunday where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday prior to the Mass from 10 to 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Parish at St. Aloysius with Fr. Leo Wehrlin as celebrant Monday at 11 a.m. Burial at Columbiana County Memorial Park.
View Betty's memorial webpage and express condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com.
10/21/23