Edith S. Ward Obituary (1913 - 2011)

Edith S. Ward, 97, died at home in Albion, Maine on Friday, February 4, 2011 after a relatively brief illness. She was born in Palermo, Maine on December 8, 1913, the youngest daughter of Charles W. and Angelia (Longfellow) Studley. In 1937 she married Merwin B. Ward of Freedom, Maine where they raised three children, Frances, Judith and Laurice Ward. Following elementary education at the Palermo Carrs Corner School, Edith attended Besse High School in Albion, Maine and graduated from Northfield (now Northfield Mount Hermon) in Northfield, Massachusetts. She was a student at Boston University for two years before transferring to Farmington Normal School where she graduated with a major in elementary education. For 33 years Edith taught in the Maine school system, primarily at the South Freedom, Freedom Village, Knox Stream, and Mount View schools. She was predeceased by her parents; husband; son Laurice Larry Ward; daughter Judith W. Raven; and siblings James, Charles, Arzella (Welch), Ellen (McConnell), Everett, and George Studley. She is survived by her daughter Frances Ward of Albion; daughter-in-law Lona W. Bourassa and husband Robert of Smithfield; son-in-law Algene I. Raven of Palermo; grandchildren Melanie W. Pellerin and husband Jason, Judson Raven and wife Susan of Vinalhaven, Andrea Huff and husband Roger of Palermo, and Mathew Ward and wife Elizabeth of Albion; great grandchildren Ryan, Seth, Taylor and Trevor Pellerin, Hannah and Hallee Huff, Matix and Zoie Ward, and Sarah (Isa) and Elizabeth (Addy) Raven; nephew George Studley, Jr. of China; and nieces Maxine Rideout of Albion and Sue Ann S. Charles of China. The family would like to thank the doctors at Lovejoy Health Center and the staff of Health Reach Home Care and Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care. Memorial and burial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ediths name to a charity of choice.