Enfield, N.H. — Barbara died on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, of complications from Alzheimer’s in her home in Enfield. Barbara was born Sept. 20, 1937, in Pontiac, Mich. to Ralph and Stella Schwalm. She spent early life with her parents and brother, Jim in Pontiac until she went to college at Eastern Michigan University, where she was introduced to David Ward. They married in Michigan in September 1958 and returned to graduate school at Dartmouth in New Hampshire. After a brief stay in California, they settled in Orchard Lake, Mich., to raise their five kids, who are now spread out across the country. They left Michigan with David’s job transfer and settled in Southport, Conn., where Barbara enjoyed singing in the choir at the Southport Congregational Church, working at the Fairfield Women’s Exchange and time in her gardens. Barbara’s passion and focus in life was her husband and raising five healthy children. Upon retirement Barbara and David settled on Lake Mascoma in Enfield where they enjoyed their antique boat, Marjorie, and David volunteers at the Shaker Museum. She is survived by her husband and five children, twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; Lisa Zappala of Needham, Mass. (husband Tom and two grandchildren), Jerady Zunno of Gypsum, Colo. (husband Darren, two grandchildren), Steve Ward of Avondale, Ariz.,(wife Lorri and five grandchildren), David Ward Jr of Darien, Conn. (wife Wendy and three grandchildren) and Kathe Couch of Ludlow, Vt. (husband Alan and their four pups). She is predeceased by her parents and brother Jim.
We will have a “celebration of her life” in Enfield at the Shaker Museum on Sunday, Nov.19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be services in Southport, Conn., at the Southport Congregational Church on Dec.2 at 2 p.m. She will be interred this summer in Michigan.
David and his children will be forever grateful for the care Barbara received at home over the last several months with the assistance of Heather Pellerin, Hilary Hofmann and the Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Youth Mental Health Project, established in Darien, Conn., to raise awareness and support for families struggling with mental health issues, http://ymhproject.org/take-action/#donate.
Ricker Funeral Home is assisting the family. For private online condolences please go to www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
