Mary Ward

Mary Helen (Maly) Ward age 91, passed away February 11, 2020 in Kalispell after a recent brief illness.           Mary was born December 8, 1928, in East St. Louis, Illinois, the sixth child of James and Emma Skrha Maly.

On February 28, 1946 she married her loving husband Lawrence Ward, together they enjoyed 74 years of caring and sharing and were blessed with a wonderful family.  She was a proud mother of 4 daughters and 4 sons:

Mary was devout in her Catholic faith and greatly comforted by it.  She was a member of St. Matthew’s parish for more than 70 years. She was also a member of The Daughters of Isabella, Beta Sigma Phi, C.S.A Lodge and the Kalispell Twirlers/square dancers.

She was an Avon representative for 32 years, served as an Election judge, hospital volunteer washing patient’s hair and was a Brownie Leader.  In addition to her sewing Mary developed her artistic talents painting and card-making all are treasured keepsakes.

She was preceded in death by Parents: James & Emma Maly, Parent in-laws Les & Laura Ward. Brothers: Steve, Joe, Jim, John and William.  Sons: Daniel and Lawrence.  Son in-laws: Gregg Osborn and Dan Danaher.

Mary is survived by her loving husband Lawrence Ward, children Sister Marilyn Ward, Cedar Rapids, IA, Susan Danaher and Todd Scholer Kalispell, Barbara (Bob) Coccia, New Castle, WA, Sandra Ward, Dan Thompson, Coeur D Alene, ID, Christopher (Stephanie) Ward, Dayton, OH, Patrick (Sherry) Ward, Kalispell,
sister Margaret Diepholz Troy, IL, sister in-law Maxine Ward, Chester, MT and daughter in-law Janice Hesketh, Good Year, AZ, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

There will be visitation and rosary Monday, Feb. 17th at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home  6:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held Feb. 18th, 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s School Gym, please use the main street entrance.

Our family is most grateful for those who cared for Mary, her healthcare providers David Habel, Eve Gillespie and Frontier Hospice.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to American Heart Association.

We are forever grateful for Mom and the blessings she has given to us—they are priceless and can never be replaced.  We thank God for the gift she was to all of us. Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.