Obituary of KAREN WARD

January 18, 1950 – February 12, 2014 Karen’s lively voice, colorful smile and generosity of spirit will be cherished and remembered forever by her family. She passed away relatively suddenly from complications in connection with her treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Karen was born and raised in Edmonton. Upon graduation from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in Recreation Administration, she attended the University of Oregon where she obtained her post graduate degree. After a brief teaching stint at the University of Alberta, Karen moved to Calgary in 1975 to commence a 32 year career working in various management positions with the City of Calgary. Upon her retirement from the City, Karen became a travel consultant which permitted a perfect melding of her love of travel, working with people and her entrepreneurial spirit. Karen always nurtured warm and loving relationships with her family and numerous life-long friends. She was the maypole around which both the Ward and Pyrcz families revolved. She will be forever missed by John, her husband of 37 years; her mother, Elsie Pyrcz; her brother, Orville Pyrcz (Caenie) and John’s brothers, Jim (Lynda), Barry (Nicky) and Roland (Frances) and her nephews and nieces, Kia Pyrcz (Glen Hawkins), Shanne (Jeff) Thomson, Dave (Andrea) Ward, Amanda (Jonny) Hehr, Raleigh (Grant) Thomas, Daniel Ward (Sara Howie), and Amy Ward (Ken Mercredi), as well as eight great nephews and nieces, all of whom Karen loved as if they were her own. A special thank you is extended to all the doctors, nurses, and staff members at the Intensive Care Unit of the Foothills Hospital for their professional, compassionate and valiant efforts to save Karen’s life. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on February 19, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Those who wish to make a donation in honour of Karen are asked to contribute to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222. In living memory of Karen Ward, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.