Born December 3, 1916 in Patmos, Arkansas to Henry Marvin Ward and Vera Black Ward, Irene grew up on the family farm where she learned to cook Southern favorites and take care of a home. On December 1, 1938, Irene married her high-school sweetheart, Herman Julian Putman. She enjoyed embroidering, playing bingo and being a housewife. Irene and Herman lived in Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas for many years before his passing in 1993. Irene then moved north to Groton, Massachusetts to live with her daughter and family. For the past 19 years, Irene has enjoyed spending time with her family, caring for her cats, watching the birds outside her window, and baking for her friends and neighbors.
Irene is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Vladimir ‘Bill’ Semienko of Groton, MA, her adoring granddaughter, Anastasia Semienko of Somerville, MA, her nephews Marion Barton of Texarkana, TX and Ford Ward of Hope, AR, and a cousin, Doris Lewis of Texarkana, AR. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Putman, and brother, Travis Ward of Hope, AR.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, June 1st at East Funeral Home, 2807 Moores Lane, Texarkana, TX. A graveside service at East Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 5200 E Broad Street, Texarkana, AR will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 2nd when Irene is laid to rest next to her beloved husband.
Memorial contributions are welcome at Nashoba Nursing Service & Hospice, 2 Shaker Road, Suite D-225, Shirley, MA 01464 or the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.
Many thanks to all of Irene’s family and friends for their love and support and to the staff at Nashoba Valley Medical Center and Nashoba Nursing Service & Hospice for their care.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18