Margaret was devoted to her children, her church, her industry and the Linwood area. Margaret operated the family business for 43 years, retiring in 1981. The business and real estate was bought by her son, Joseph A. Ward. Linwood honored her on the occasion of her 90th Birthday for her years of excellent service. Sadly, she was too ill to receive her award in person, but her proud grandson, Edward J. Ward, another generation funeral director, received it on her behalf.

She never moved from her residence above the funeral home or remarried. You see, her job wasn’t done. As Matriarch, and having kept her facility immaculate, she enjoyed watching the next generation from the kitchen window, making sure they continued her standard of excellence. The memory of her, each day at the crack of dawn lives on, with broom and dust pan in hand, sweeping the parking lot, sidewalks, and street. Her children, and those who knew her, remember Margaret, who despite her struggles, never lost her sense of humor. Her daughters recall her extraordinary strength and patience. She passed away August 28, 1995, at age 90. She buried two of her children; her legacy included 22 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

The opening words of the homily at her funeral mass were “Margaret H. Ward, A Measure of Greatness”.