Carolyn Bates Ward

Carolyn Ann Bates Ward was born in Passaic County, New Jersey, on January 7, 1934 to Mary Helen Cook Bates and Stanley Winthrop Bates. She passed away on November 27, 2022 in El Paso, Texas. She graduated from Roselle Park High School in Roselle Park, New Jersey. Carolyn worked as a Legal Secretary in Norristown, PA until her retirement.

She married John Franklin Ward Sr on June 19, 1954. Before John’s passing in August 2019 they celebrated 65 years of blissful marriage. They had three sons, John Franklin Ward Jr, James David Ward and Robert Stanley Ward. They lived in New Jersey for a few years, before moving to Norristown, and Audubon, PA. Eventually they relocated to Port St. Lucie, FL.

Carolyn and John were very social people, they loved dancing in their younger years with the Penn Square Dance Club and met many lifelong friends like Dave and Carol Wisler. They loved music and sang in their church choirs for many years. They were very active with their church communities. Carolyn enjoyed playing Bridge and Pinochle with women’s clubs. They frequently hosted friends at their lake house in New Jersey for celebrations and parties during the summer. Everyone loved coming to spend time with them because there was always fun to be had. Carolyn was a loving wife, mother and Nana. She was a gracious host, had a wonderful sense of humor and was the kindest soul you could ever imagine. No matter where she went, people fell in love with her. Heaven has gained an angel and Carolyn will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but reunited with her one true love, John.

Carolyn is survived by her three sons John, James and Robert, as well as eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Final interment will be in the Newton Cemetery in Newton, NJ.