December 15,1935-March 5,2013.
Our Mother, Wife, friend, Godmother, Aunt and Matriarch left us after a brief but heroic battle with an unrelenting pneumonia. Despite the emptiness we feel in our hearts, she lived a life that was full of the things important to her. Born in Oakdale, CA and raised in Sonora, CA, she worked for the historic Tuolumne railroad as a bookkeeper where her handwriting can still be seen in the original records now displayed in the museum. She quickly met the love of her life, Erwin Ward at a square dance and they married in Sonora where he began his US Forest Service Career. Within five years she was happily the mother of three girls; Anita (Dave Pedrick); Sandra (Pat Doyle); and Linda (Jeff Kuhns). Adela and Erwin were married 54 years and exemplified the standards of a successful marriage, partnership and friendship. She spent her years being a “Mommy” which is exactly what she wanted.
Together Adela and Erwin made certain their girls were taught everything from proper attire, manners and social graces to the best way to clean a trout, and locate the best earthworms. The family spent many years camping, fishing, hiking and leaming wildlife respect, and ultimately visited nearly every National Park in the western United States while enjoying priceless family time.
From Sonora, the family moved to a tiny ranger station in Milford California. Although a culture shock to her, she was a good sport about it all because, her family was together. From Milford, the family moved to Pasadena for ten years where she began working as an instructional assistant for the school system. When the family was transferred yet again to Goleta, she continued her work as an instructional assistant with special education and second language leamers. As a mother, she was a natural and patient teacher.
Once retired, she and Erwin traveled to Paris, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and more. They were constantly on the go. And, when they weren’t traveling they loved relaxing at their cabin in the Sequoias. Sometimes it was her preferred destination simply because she could take her beloved King Charles Spaniel, Chester with her.
Her biggest source of pride and joy, were her grandchildren and grand niece. Stephen, Abigail, Brandon and Carlie were her greatest rays of sunshine. Whenever she was in their company, it was her definition of Heaven on earth. Her grandniece, Ali was a source of pride for reasons too numerous to publish. Adela left many nieces and nephews heartbroken but influenced and greatly loved. Cyndie, Cathy, Debbie, Larry, Elizabeth, Tommy and Lisa. She also leaves scores of incredible friends who she loved very much. She was preceded in death by her younger brother Andres Carlos and parents, Helen and Andres Carlos.
Memorial Service will be at St Raphael’s Catholic Church, but are pending at this time. Donations may be made to the Adela Ward Memorial Fund at Santa Barbara Bank and Trust/Union Bank to be distributed completely to the dozens of charities she supported. Charity was an important component in her life and the family will see to it that it continues.
