Alice Lucille (Sutherland) Ward was born January 12, 1933. After a battle with cancer, she was peacefully called home by our Heavenly Father on January 2, 2023 just 10 days shy of her 90th birthday. Alice or ‘A,’ as she was known by everyone who loved her, was a beautiful and loving wife, a caring, understanding and patient mom to her eight children and a devout Catholic. Everything Alice did as a mother, wife and homemaker flowed from her deep and abiding faith to our Lord and Blessed Mother. Her motherly and tender compassion went way beyond family and extended to anyone who needed a mother’s loving touch.
She was born in Tucson, Arizona to Neil and Blanche Sutherland where she attended Tucson High School.
‘A’ met her ‘sailor man,’ Ben Ward, in 1950 and they were married just a few months later. Although mom enjoyed bowling, golf and tennis, competitiveness was not her nature. She loved quiet (since she had little of it) reading, listening and forming deep relationships is what would best describe her. She loved card games and, if she was playing poker, expect her to win. Her bridge group lasted over 60 years and was filled with laughter, bonding and a true sisterhood that she treasured.
Mom was a remarkable and amazing homemaker. She loved being a mom and always said that all she ever wanted was to have a bunch of children. Her strength was tireless and her attention and care for her family was never ending.
Our house was always full. Whoever wandered into our house, friends, relatives, and sometimes strangers, mom made them feel welcome. Everyone got fed and given a meal or two or three. There was even the time when she had us kids take food and blankets to a homeless man who was living in the alley behind our house. Mom’s rule was that if anyone did not have a place to go for Thanksgiving, they were invited here for what was always a wonderful and delicious feast. Growing up, there was always milk in the fridge, cookies in the cookie jar and, as we got older, limoncello in the freezer.
Mom and dad shared an amazing love and bond that lasted 65 earthly years. On their first date, dad took her flying in his plane which she hated and was scared to death. Overtime she faced this fear, studied for months, took lessons in private and, made a solo airplane flight, just to surprise dad. It was this type of boundless courage and indomitable inner strength combined with her quiet wisdom and intuitiveness that made her so incredible.
Her spirit is now flying in heaven but her example, wit and wisdom are here and remain in our hearts. Her influence on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren is incalculable. Her love and devotion touched and changed all of our lives. We love you mom you are forever in our hearts.
A is survived by her eight children: Benjamin Donlon Ward, Jr, Mary Ellen Zeman (David), Michael Stephen Ward (Cecilia), James Patrick Ward (Mary), John Daniel Ward (Margalit), Catherine Camille Nolan (Paul), Thomas Joseph Ward (Andrea), Lauri Anne Cooney (Rhett), brother Neil Sutherland (Janis). Mom leaves behind a loving legacy of 22 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00pm with a Rosary at 6:00pm on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home at 4800 E Indian School, Phoenix. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 13th at 10:30am at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 11300 N. 64th Street, Scottsdale 85254.
In lieu of flowers donations are kindly being accepted to Smile Train (smiletrain.org)
or Sunrise for Rural Dwellers (helping to build the Uvuru Hospital in rural Africa) www.sunriseRD.com/319.779.3898
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Suzy Petla
I remember Aunt Alice as a pretty sweet lady .l remember her having a
Deep abiding Faith. May you all be comforted in knowing that you will
Be reunited again.
May God’s peace and comfort surround you all.
With love and prayers, Suzy and Dan
Petla
Jeanne Lundberg
We met ‘A’ at the wedding of our sister and brother-in-law, Mary & Jim Ward. She was so welcoming to us, opening her home for rehearsal dinner festivities. For many years afterwards, she kindly sent us a Christmas card, with a photo of her growing, and beautiful family. We were honored!
“Beautiful on the outside, and on the inside”, so the saying goes. A perfect description of A!
God’s comfort and peace to the family.
Our love & prayers go out to you,
Jeanne & Roger Lundberg,
Northville, Michigan
Marcie Martini
I am so grateful that you all have had such a fabulous relationship with your mother. I am a good friend of Don Ward. In reading about Alice it inspired me to always remember that kindness is the gift you can give from your heart. Your mom is an inspiration to me. Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to your mama.
Karen Delaney
Prayers for all the family : Sending love and healing thoughts through your transition of grief ; remember the beautiful memories she created for you all ;
Live from Laurie’s friend
Karenxx
Alicia (Lisa Martin) Herron
One find memory of your Mom and Dad consisted of me trying to get a little bridge mix candy from them when my parents (Dave and Sandi Martin) hosted bridge. I loved sneaking out of the back room to visit. As an adult at times I would come to the ladies bridge weekends to take pictures of their wonderful sisterhood. I will always have fond memories! Love to you all!