Barbara Ward
Barbara passed away on 23rd December 2020 peacefully, at home surrounded by her family.
The COVID19 pandemic in 2020 has prevented those who loved her from getting together in person as they would wish. This site has been set up to give space for reflection and celebration of a wonderful life, and to provide updates on future remembrance plans.
The card for reflection at the cremation is now available. Printed copies will be provided and will be posted to anyone who would like one. You can download the pdf by clicking here
Rose Garden
We are going to renovate the rose garden at Overdale. Barbara enjoyed roses and before she passed away, had been commenting on its deteriorating appearance. We would welcome donations of rooted roses, especially if they hold particular meaning for your remembrance of Barbara. There is space for a couple of climbing roses and around 20 standard roses. The first photos are now on the site here.
Donations
If you would like to make a donation in Barbara’s memory, we are collecting for MacMillan who supported Barbara and the whole family. Donations can be made at: https://donation.macmillan.org.uk/.
Some cash/cheque donations were made to Stan directly around the time of the cremation, those have been made in Barbara’s name to MacMillan on 01/02/21 totaling £250.
Event & service
We are planning to hold a service to celebrate Barbara’s life at Chirk methodist church in 2021 where Barbara was an active part of the congregation, particularly in the luncheon club. We will be having a space to gather, enjoy each others company, talk and eat after the service at Overdale. Details to be confirmed when the pandemic situation is clearer. Shortly we will be starting a mailing list to receive updates for the event by phone/email.
Jane, Barbara’s daughter has recorded herself singing one of her mums favourite hymns: ‘Make me a channel of your peace‘.
The music that we used while reflecting at the crematorium is available here: Music from the crematorium
Brenda Wilford of Chirk Methodist Church sent us a poem that she has written which came to her in the middle of the night shortly after Barbara passed away. Reproduced with permission:
A warrior for Right, she would find, The right words to say, always kind. Not one to sit upon 'her hands', Jobs to do, her way to 'wind'. We feel the loss, a gap no one can fill, Nor would want or have the will. She was really - 'one of a kind', A Lancashire lass no better to find. Many memories we have - before the 'Sad' When an illness took it's toll so 'bad'. So take strength from them, she would say, Do not tarry - be on your way. And so to a 'life' an end of an era, A salute from ALL, to 'our Barbara'!
Hi Stan and family,
We were so sad to hear of Barbara’s illness and passing. We may be half a world away, but we will miss knowing that Barbara is not a part of it.
Unfortunately we are not able to join you for Barbara’s cremation and want you to know that our thoughts are with you and family, as they have been over the last few months.
We will always have such happy memories of Barbara. Her spirit, her laugh, the millionaires shortbread, the joy and strength that Barbara’s love and friendship have given mum and dad, Barbara’s interest in and support of my and Kate’s life, Barbara’s love of and kindness for Lauren and Lucy – and Abba songs have taken on a completely new dimension since our last visit.
We will miss her so very much.
All our love,
Gary, Kate, Lauren & Lucy x
Stan, David and Jane
I have written a card which I wanted to hand you personally today but unfortunately circumstances are against us. We are here with you online throughout the morning, and we will spend some time looking through the photos, eating some millionaires shortbread and remembering the fabulous lady that Barbara was.
Barbara was an incredible lady who was a huge part of our family and will be missed in so many ways. Her infectious laugh, her warmth and love towards our family and her kindness in everything she did for us will be lasting memories.
Jane and David – she was so incredibly proud of you two.
We want to send our love to all of you today and although we can’t be with you, we are holding your hands every step of the way.
All our love
Derick, Clare, Chloe and Luke
xxxxxxx
To the Ward family – We are thinking of you today.
We will miss Barbara a lot.
I will always remember Barbara as being very warm and motherly to me. Every time I popped in Overdale, Barbara would make a big fuss and make me feel very welcome. There was always something wonderful being cooked and a good chat to be had.
My mum loved chatting with Barbara who showed her all her quilting and they had many long talks over the years. You could not get them both off the phone! Mum remembers how amazing Barbara’s chocolate almonds were and how thoughtful Barbara always was with her.
Barbara was very lucky to have a wonderful life with Stan, David and Jane. She had a busy and full life with a loving and close extended family. There was always activities to plan and places to go and her every moment was dedicated to thinking of community, friends and family. Barbara was a happy woman, surrounded by love.
With lots of love,
Dominic, Vivienne and family x
We have been thinking of you all today.
Barbara will be missed. We are very lucky that she got to meet William when he was born and we will forever keep her lovely personalise quilt/ playmat she made William.
I have so many memories of time with you all over the years, bonfire nights have come to my mind while writing this, making toffee apples and fudge with Jane and Barbara then joining in at pentre bonfires. Your mum was an amazing cook too, always happy to make tea before brownies and guides and other things me and Jane were doing when we were younger.
We would love to join you all when you can organise the celebrations of Barbara life.
We will have to drive past overdale in future to see the rose bed.
Sending love to you all xx
Dear Stan and family,
We are very saddened to hear of the news about Barbara passing away. We have very fond memories of you and her when we all used to get together and her memory will be treasured by us. She was a special human being with so much love to give and so much loyalty to her family and friends. My daughter, Hannah, remembers visiting when she was a little girl and remembers the little elephant cup that Barbara would give her to drink out of. Sometimes in life you meet people who become part of your soul and you carry their energy with you for the rest of your life – Barbara was one of those people. She will remain with us for always.
We send you our warm love and prayers
Marie, Lorraine and Hannah