Lasting Memories

Marjorie Ward
1929-June 1, 2006
Los Altos, California

Marjorie Parr Ward, an accomplished artist and art collection coordinator, died June 1 at Stanford Medical Center. She was 77.

Born in Oxnard, Ms. Ward earned bachelor and master degrees from San Jose State University. She taught public school in Atherton and in Vancouver, B.C., prior to devoting her time to art and raising a family.

Her artwork was displayed at many Bay Area galleries. She won numerous awards in juried shows sponsored by the Peninsula Art Association, the Pacific Art League, the Menlo Park Art Commission, Canada College and the Fine Arts League of Cupertino.

From 1983 to 1987, Ms. Ward was the coordinator for the Anderson art collection at Saga Corporation in Menlo Park. For the past eight years she served as a docent at the San Jose Museum of Art and helped arrange art exhibitions on the Peninsula.

When her children were in school, she worked on fundraising at Menlo-Atherton High School and edited the monthly parents' newsletter at Selby Lane School in Atherton. After 29 years in Atherton, she moved to Los Altos.

Ms. Ward is survived by her children, Kenric of Vero Beach, Florida, Stuart of Napa, and Sandy Thomson of Santa Clarita; sister Betty Smith of Lompoc; and four grandchildren. Her husband, Nairne F. Ward, preceded her in death.