Betty Ward

August 21, 1929 - January 17, 2018

Betty Ward Aug. 21, 1929-Jan. 17, 2018 Betty Ward, of Vallejo, passed away Wednesday, January 17, 2018, in a Vallejo hospital at the age of 88 after a short illness. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Russell Borkheim, husband, Robert, brother, Russell Borkheim, and daughter-in-law, Anna Ward. She is survived by daughter, Stephanie St. Pierre (Mike), of Vallejo; and sons Tim Ward (Laurie), of Sacramento, Chris Ward (Jennifer), of Berkeley, and Ted Ward (Laurie) of Concord; sisters-in-law Lois Ward, of Vallejo, and Collette Borkheim, of Dana Point, California; grandchildren, Michelle Walker (Maurice), of Atascadero, Matthew St. Pierre (Caprice) of San Diego, Timmy Ward, of Vallejo, Tiffany Kazemi (Sean) of Vacaville, Annika Ward, of Concord, and Calum Ward, of Berkeley; six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Betty was born in Marin County, and spent her childhood in several small towns in Marin and Sonoma counties, particularly around Guerneville near the Russian River. She settled in Vallejo with her family, where she attended Vallejo Junior and Senior High Schools, graduating high school in 1947. After working a short while, she met and married her husband, Robert, in 1949. Betty cherished her family and supported all that they did. Betty and Bob raised four children in Vallejo near Washington Playground and later Vallejo High School Betty was a longtime member St. Vincent’s Parish and St. Basil’s Parish, graciously donating her time to school and church activities. There wasn’t a bake sale, fund-raising event or day of yard duty she missed. She spent many years as a member of the St. Basil’s Altar Society, cleaning garments for the altar boys/priests and chalices for the church. She donated thousands of hours to the Red Cross, working at the thrift shop in Vallejo and a longtime fundraiser for the American Heart Association, going door-to-door to collect money for the organization. Betty was an avid bridge player, meeting weekly with her friends for a friendly game and plenty of laughter and clever conversation. She loved to work in the garden, where she could make anything grow with her green thumb. Holidays and other family gatherings were a great time around the Ward house. Betty could put a Thanksgiving dinner together for all the extended family with turkey and all the trimmings, all done with one oven and no microwave, grill, pressure cooker or slow cooker. She enjoyed taking the family on trips to Marin County or the Russian River, showing off the many houses of her childhood. She would take us a favorite local bakery from her childhood to pick up fresh-baked bread or eat dinner at one of the family-style Italian restaurants in Occidental after a day at the beach in Tomales or Bodega Bay. She supported her children’s and grandchildren’s sports and activities, spending countless hours watching games and driving one of the kids to and from schools and parks all over town. Visitation will be held 4-9 PM Tuesday, January 23 with a rosary at 7 PM Tuesday at Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Wednesday, January 24 at St. Basil’s the Great Catholic Church, Tuolumne and Nebraska Sts., Vallejo. Burial will follow at All Souls Catholic Cemetery, Vallejo. Donations may be made to American Heart Association, the Red Cross, Parkinson’s Association, or Saint Patrick-Saint Vincent High School. Arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo (707) 552-6696. www.TwinChapelsMortuary.com