Alverda Marie Balogh

Alverda “Verdie” Marie Ward Balogh passed away peacefully on October 19, 2022, in her home, surrounded by friends and family, after a long battle with dementia. Born in Lisbon, Ohio on December 25, 1928, to Daisy and Harry Ward, Verdie was a Christmas blessing. She enjoyed most of her young life in Columbiana, Ohio with her 3 sisters Adaline, Maxine, and Helen, and 5 brothers Lemon, Kenny, Bob, Chick and Dale. Verdie’s parents were loving and hardworking. Her father was track supervisor for a trolley line from Columbiana to East Palestine and her mother was the caring homemaker to their large family.

Verdie met the love of her life, Howard, in 1951 at a square dance at Point View dance hall in Canfield, Ohio. It was love at first sight for the couple and after a year of courtship they were married on June 21, 1952, at the Church of Friendly Bells in Youngstown, Ohio. Shortly after they were wed Howard departed for recruit training at Quantico, Virginia but they were soon reunited in September of 1952.

While her husband served the nation, Verdie spent 26 years as a Marine Corps officer’s wife, maintaining and managing a household of 5 children with poise and grace. Verdie and Howard’s travels included duty stations in San Francisco, CA, Camp Pendleton, CA, Camp Lejeune, NC, Parris Island, SC, Danville, IL, Oahu, HI, Quantico, VA, and Washington, DC. Verdie also enjoyed traveling to Okinawa, Japan, Taipei, Hong Kong, Kauai and Maui, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada, and around the continental United States. Her most cherished journey, though, was the blissful 70 years of marriage she shared with Howard.

True to her fun-loving and silly nature, Verdie fostered a love for music and dancing. She was patient, spirited, and enjoyed filling her home with laughter and love. Above all, Verdie rejoiced in caring for her family. She immersed herself in raising her children and grandchildren. She was a genuine, compassionate person, and she had a special place in her heart for children. Verdie possessed the unique gift of being able to connect with people and everyone knows that she never met a stranger. She truly cared about everyone she met.

Verdie credits her illustrious life to overcoming the hardships of the Great Depression, her good genes, and running for exercise. In 1977 she was awarded a medal for completing the Maui Marathon at the age of 49.

Verdie’s genuine heart and vibrant spirit live on through her husband Howard, sister Maxine, 5 children Linda, Sharon, Vicki, Jeff, and Susan, 17 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Verdie’s honor on Friday, November 4, 2022 at 10:30am at the Lake of the Woods Church, followed by a celebration of her life. Friends and family are welcomed to attend. Verdie will then be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the National Cemetery in Culpeper.

The family would like to express their appreciation to MWH Hospice for their tender, outstanding care of Verdie. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Verdie may be made to MWH Hospice by mail at 2600 Mary Washington Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 or by visiting https://www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/foundations/donate-to-mary-washington-hospital-foundation/ and selecting “Hospice Care- Support of MW Hospice to compensate for non-reimbursed care”. Donations may also be made in her honor to the Lake of the Woods Church by mail to 1 Church Lane, Locust Grove, VA 22508.