Suzanne (Sue) Ward

Aug 26, 2025 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2025 | 0 comments

Suzanne (Sue) Ward, 90, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 peacefully at her residence surrounded by loved ones. Services will be held Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 at St. Ann’s Chapel at 10am; visitation beginning at 9:30am, with a lunch to follow.

Sue was born September 24, 1934, to William S. Warden and Helen (McGraw) Warden of Kansas City, MO. She attended school in Kansas City with her most formative years spent at Hogan Academy; an experience that gave her lifelong friendships. She graduated from Avila University with a degree in nursing.

Sue met the love of her life, the late R. Ray Ward, at a Catholic mixer at Notre Dame in 1953. She used to say she liked Ray so much that first night, she let him whisk her across state lines for a late-night cup of coffee. United by their faith Sue and Ray married shortly after Ray returned from military service on July 6, 1957.

Due to a childhood illness Sue was unable to have children; however, Sue and Ray were blessed with two children through adoption. Their family was not bound together by blood, but something stronger, the sheer force of her and Ray’s love, faith, and guidance.

Sue’s nursing career led her to hospitals and schools around the country, and to her famous line “Trust me, I’m a nurse.” Despite being a mother with a career, Sue was always active in her community. Whether in Franklin, Massachusetts where her and her husband raised their children over 40 years or Kansas City, Missouri where they retired.

Sue lost the love of her life in 2002. Though at first she did not know how to go on, she reinvented herself and did things she never dreamed. Sue traveled to England many times, extensively throughout Europe, and most famously enjoyed a hot air balloon ride in Egypt; which she happily recounted to family members in her last days. Sue was never one to miss a party or a church service, always ready with a timely prayer or a drink; circumstances dependent.

Sue had several near-death experiences throughout her life and always joked that God wasn’t ready for her, but finally He was and she is now reunited with her husband and beloved brothers.

She is survived by her daughter Maureen (Ward) Rejali, her favorite son-in-law Cameron Rejali; her son Robert R. Ward Jr., daughter-in-law Jeanette; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.

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