Shirley F. (Staples) Ward, 91 a former resident of Whitman and Halifax passed into the loving arms of her Lord with her daughters, granddaughter and pastor at her side at St. Joseph Manor, Brockton on February 25, 2014. She was the wife of the late William H. Ward.
She was born in Brocton, MA daughter of the late Everett and Beatrice (Hoxie) Staples.
Shirley was educated in the Brockton School System. She was a former employee of W.T. Grant Co., Bostonian Shoe Company, R.H. Austin Co. and USMC Corp. She was also a former Brownie troop leader and honorary member of the Sachem Quilters. Shirley was a member of the Whitman VFW Auxiliary #697 and the Whitman United Methodist Church. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, reading and shopping with her sister Muriel.
Shirley leaves her beloved children, Barbara J. White and her husband David of Whitman, Sue Ellen Hewitt and her husband Varnum of Pembroke, Sally Ann Thornton and her husband Wayne of Hanson, grandchildren David White, Jr. and his wife Sarah of Berkley, William F. White and companion Jessica Croteau of Swansea, Vicki Waletkus and her husband Alan of Pembroke, Wayne Thornton, Jr. and his wife Tricia of Hanson, Thomas Hewitt and his friend Angela Hart of Pembroke, Glendon Thornton and his wife Julie of Brockton, Kraig Thornton of Myrtle Beach, SC, great grandchildren Rachel, Nicholas, Analies, Emma and Anastasia White, Jennifer Ruffini, Scott and Jacob Waletkus and Cabe, Talen, Paige, Owen and Zachary Thornton. She is also survived by her sister Muriel Hathaway and her husband Wilfred of West Bridgewater as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Claire Bishop, Dorothy Perry and Malcom Staples.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday March 2 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. Her funeral service will be held Monday March 3 at 10 AM in the United Methodist Church, 503 South Ave., Whitman, MA 02382, officiated by Pastor Crystal Gardner.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s name may be made to St. Joseph Manor Activity Fund, 215 Thatcher Street, Brockton, MA 02302 or to the Memorial Fund of the Whitman Methodist Church at the address above.
Shirley’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation and thanks for the care and love Shirley received while a resident at St. Joseph Manor.