Angela Terese Ward

Surrounded by love, Angela Teresa “Terry” Ward, 91, of Batavia, Illinois, gently and peacefully went to be with the lord on Saturday, July 10, 2021.  She was born on April 5, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Eugene and Angela (nee. Piotrowski) Lang. She was united in marriage to the late Charles S. Ward on March 27, 1954, in St. Charles, Illinois

Terry had many accomplishments, and she is fondly remembered by many throughout her travels locally and internationally. In 1951, she bravely crossed the Atlantic (by ship) for her junior year abroad in Fribourg, Switzerland. There, she met lifelong friends (given themselves the name Frujerians) and have kept in touch with these friends for over 60 years. This trip initiated her love of travel and began a life of adventure where she fearlessly traveled the globe. 

Terry graduated from Rosary College in River Forest, IL with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French Studies; however, she never stopped learning, taking college classes (and teaching a few) at Waubonsee Community College at LLI (Lifelong Learning Institute).  She was a member of Batavia Women’s Club and was honored recently for being the member with the longest duration. Terry was a socialite and loved the different clubs and organizations she belonged:  Batavia Kiwanis’s Club, a member at Holy Cross Church and St. Peter’s Church, many book clubs over the years, and an affiliate member of Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary. When she lost her eldest son, she managed her grief by being a founding member of Survivors of Suicide (SOS) where she encouraged and supported 1,000s of people.

Terry was a gifted writer and worked as a travel agent.  She wrote articles about travel and interesting people that were published in both the Beacon News and the Kane County Chronicle. She often travelled with her daughters and son; however, she was known to travel alone and made trips to China, Israel and Europe. She sailed, swam with dolphins, crossed the newly demolished Berlin Wall, and never passed an opportunity to be near water. She loved to ski, swim and dance.

The Arts were very important to Terry and she loved classical music, opera, musicals, the ballet and theatre.  She played the piano and sang (not always on key). Her love of life kept her socially alive and active up until her last days. Each day was an adventure that she approached with her trademark enthusiasm and childlike wonder.  She loved Jeopardy and the Bachelorette and played bridge and bingo. Terry was a faithful Catholic and loved to meet new people especially over coffee and doughnuts. Strangers did not stay strangers for long as her inviting smile and inquisitive nature drew people to her. 

Known to be fiercely independent, she was a true role model to her daughters and sons. As an early advocate for women’s rights, she demanded to be listened to and be respected.  She told her truth by writing and speaking to anyone who would listen.  She kept a journal and was working on her biography up until her last days.  A petite woman whose stature never stopped her from making an entrance or having a presence in any room or situation she entered-- usually in bright colorful clothes and garden party hats. 

She loved tea parties, gardening and almost all flowers; Wildflowers were her particular favorite as they captured her intrepid spirit. Most of all, she loved her children whether they lived near or far. She spent hours on the phone or in person with each one of them making each interaction unique and special. Ever the optimist, she counseled to late in the night and never tired of talking to her children. As her family grew so did her heart to make room for her many grands and great-grands.

Terry is survived by a loving family, her five children, Susan (Jim) Trestrail, Margot Bradley, Julie (Dennis) Beckman, Robin (Keith) Goins and Charles Ward; her twelve grandchildren, Jennifer, Christy, David, Josh, Jeremy, Jeff, Rhea, Marissa, Patrick, Elizabeth, Benjamin and Lauren; her nineteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband Charles S. Ward; her son Christopher Ward; her two sisters, Elizabeth Dempsey and Celeste Hallahan, and her brother Nicholas Lang.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. on August 27, 2021 at St. Perter Catholic Church, 1891 Kaneville Rd, Geneva, IL 60134.  Interment will be held privately at Oak Hill Cemetery in Geneva, IL. 

Following the Mass, a Tea Party will be held at Oscar Swan’s garden in Geneva to celebrate Terry’s life.  Attendees to both the Mass and Tea Party are invited to wear bold colors and hats.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Terry’s name to Survivors of Suicide Support Group, C/O Advent Christian Church, 905 N. Edgelawn, Aurora, IL, 60506.  For additional information please contact Moss Family Funeral Home at (630) 879-7900 or www.mossfuneral.com.