Barbara J. (Cole) Ward

HARRISVILLE, NY ~ Barbara J. Ward, 84, of Maple St., Harrisville, passed away surrounded by her family at Carthage Area Hospital on January 21, 2024, where she had been admitted the previous day.

Born September 10, 1939 in Harrisville, the daughter of Frank and Beulah (Spicer) Cole, she was a 1957 graduate of Harrisville High School.

She married D. James Ward on September 6, 1958 in St. Francis Solanus Church in Harrisville. Her husband, Jim, of almost 42 years died on June 1, 2000.

Prior to her marriage she worked in Santa’s Workshop at White Face Mountain in Lake Placid, Following her marriage she became a homemaker and mother to her four children.

She later became the village’s librarian before retiring in 2002 after 30 years of service.

Barbara also worked as the hospital’s Ombudsman for a number of years at Lewis County General, and was the Historian for the Harrisville Alumni Association. She also was a member of the Red Hat Society and a former member of the Daughters of Isabella.

Surviving are her children, Michael Ward  and partner, Claudette, of Gouverneur, Diane M. Rogers, of Chateaugay, NY and Lynette S. and husband, Westley Boliver, of Croghan; 6 grandchildren, Keisha Ward, Garrett Cobb, Brooklyn Cobb, Ciera Vanderbogart, Isaac Boliver and Logan Boliver; many great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her loving husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Lori J. Cobb, who died in 2017; two sons-in-law, Donovan J. Rogers, who died in 2021, and Rodney Cobb, who died in 2006: five sisters, Leola Cassidy, Marion LaParr, Dorothy Sweet, Paulene Mealus and Helen Crow, as well as nieces and nephews.

In her later years, Barbara loved sitting on the porch reading with a cup of coffee and talking with family and friends. She will be remembered as a happy woman who loved people and enjoyed spending time with children and grandkids. Some of her many other enjoyments included listening to old country music, dancing or sometimes, just watching.

Calling hours for Barbara will be on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 11:00 AM until 1:30 PM at Scanlon Funeral Home, 14187 State St., Harrisville, NY 13648. Her funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM at the funeral home with the Rev. Donald J. Manfred, officiating. Burial in Harrisville Community Cemetery will take place later in the spring.  Immediately following Barbara's funeral service, there will be a luncheon in the Social Hall of St. Francis Solanus Church on Maple Street in Harrisville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisville Library or Harrisville Fire Department.

Online condolences at www.scanlonfuneral.com

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