Sheila A. Ward

Sheila Ann (Barrett) Ward of Rutland, Vt., and Attleboro, Mass., left in the arms of angels on Saturday, July 7, 2012. She was born on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918, in Rutland, Vt., the first of 10 children born to the late John and Eugenie (Kennedy) Barrett. She was educated in Rutland at St. Peter’s School and Mount St. Joseph Academy. She was a communicant of Christ the King Catholic Church in Rutland and later a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Attleboro, Mass.

The Ward family extends heartfelt thanks to the caretakers and staff at Rutland’s Mountain View Center for the kindness and care given to Sheila during her residency there.

On October 30, 1938, Sheila married William “Bud” Ward. They resided in Rutland for many years. Sheila was a part-time department manager at the former Ross-Huntress store. She was actively involved in her children’s lives as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a Cub and Boy Scout den mother, and for many years, was active with her husband in the Dana School Parent Teacher Association.

In 1961, Sheila and Bud moved with three of their four children to Attleboro, Mass., where Bud became director of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce and Sheila served as part-time receptionist/secretary. Some years ago, Sheila was honored by the Attleboro, Mass., Foreman’s Club, an umbrella organization of the Chamber of Commerce. Its members were foremen and women of the many Attleboro businesses. At one of their monthly gatherings, the members of the Foreman’s Club surprised Sheila by bestowing upon her an “Honorary Membership” in recognition of her efforts. She was praised for her personable demeanor, her administrative and organizational skills and for her invaluable assistance and support.

Sheila and Bud spent much of their leisure time traveling along the eastern coast and enjoyed several summers on Cape Cod where they made special and lifelong memories for their children and many of their grandchildren who were frequent visitors. She cherished spending time with family, special times by the ocean, listening to music, reading and in later years, became an avid Red Sox fan.

Sheila is survived by many of her much-loved family. She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by daughters Linda Ward Mattsson and her husband Gordon “Butch,” of Rutland, Vt., Gay Ward Moreau and her husband Len of Attleboro, Mass.; her son, William Terry Ward of Townshend, Vt.; her daughter-in-law, Diane Ward of Bourne, Mass.; her grandchildren, Kathi Mattsson, Marcy Gillam and her husband Tony, Michael Mattsson and his wife Staci, Sean Ward, Cassandra Ward, Tami Bibeault, Kimberly Storch and her husband Kurt, Tiffanie Castro and her husband Manny; her great-grandchildren, Lucy Gillam, Ricky Gillam, Billy Mattsson, Cheyenne Olson, Devon Ward, Rachael Langey, Shoshanna Bibeault, Jacob Bibeault, Konrad Storch, Koby Storch, Carley Castro, Drew Castro.

Sheila is also survived by other much-loved family, sisters Gloria LaMontagne of Rutland, Jean Wilson and her husband Allan of Plainfield, N.H.; brothers Neville “Bucko” Barrett of Rutland, Gregory Barrett of Georgetown, S.C.; sister-in-law Juanita Barrett of Hartland, Vt., sister-in-law and brother-in-law Beverlee (Ward) and John Anzalone of Framingham, Mass.; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sheila was predeceased by her loving husband, Bud; their beloved son, Drew; by brothers Kenneth, who died in infancy, John, Terrence, Charles and Edward; and by sisters- and brothers-in-law.

At Sheila’s request, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. Private committal will be held at a later date.

Sheila will be remembered in prayer at the Rutland, Vt., and Attleboro, Mass., Catholic churches at their upcoming weekend Masses. The Ward family invites you to join them in spirit on this day for a moment of remembrance, prayer and reflection as her earthly journey ends and God welcomes her into His tender and loving heavenly care.

If you wish to do so, Sheila’s family encourages you to recall your fond remembrances in the online guest book at www.rutlandherald.com/obits, or by sending written remembrances to any family member.

Memorial gifts may be made in her name to St. Joseph’s Food Cellar, 208 South Main St., Attleboro, MA 02703; or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, c/o Aldous Funeral Home, 44 North Main St., Rutland, VT 05701.

Arrangements are under the care of Aldous Funeral Home in Rutland.