Jan Ward

Jan was born on January 14, 1954, to George Henry and Gladys (James) Ward. Born the third of four children, she grew up in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where she passed time riding horses and bikes, watching the Wizard of Oz, threatening her sister to stay away from her Barbies, and, later, sneaking her father’s car out at night (despite not being old enough to drive). She graduated high school a year early to escape small town life. Her only child, Shelley, came along just a few years later.

Known as the “cool mom,” Jan loved spending time with Shelley and Shelley’s friends. As a mother, she was selfless, supportive, and never failed to express how proud she was. She effortlessly struck the right parenting balance of offering love, encouragement, and presence while also fostering independence. She shared with Shelley her love of shoes and purses and her disdain for housework and budgeting. She was always quick to offer a warm smile, a helping hand, a listening ear, or a wealth of medical advice that she learned from the internet.

Jan had a long career working as a sales assistant and an office manager for stock brokerage firms. She earned her Series 7 license in the 1980s. Dependable, hard-working, kind, and good at her job, Jan was always well-liked by clients and coworkers, making some of her best friends along the way.

Jan excelled at retirement. She kept herself busy with gardening, community volunteer work, shuffling grandkids here and there, reading loads of books, spending time with dear friends and family, traveling with her sister, Becky, and caring for sick or abandoned animals. She fostered a countless number of dogs, never turning down a pet in need. Jokes that she operated a canine geriatric unit out of her house, though absolutely true, never deterred her. Over the years, a steady stream of one-eyed, limb-missing, dementia-impaired, medically-dependent dogs lived with and were loved whole-heartedly by Jan. If there were a frequent flyer award for vet visits, she undoubtedly would have earned it. She mended the ones that she could and worked diligently to help them find loving homes. Many “unadoptable” pups lived out their days in Jan’s care.

But indisputably, her favorite activity was spending time with and doting on her family, and especially, her grandkids. She was exceedingly proud of them and never happier than when she could see Cate’s artwork, listen to Meredith play the piano, or cheer Andrew on in a baseball or soccer game. She shared her love of Barbies, and her designer Barbie collection, with the girls (not sure that was the wisest move—apologies for the collectible Barbie that Andrew strung up by the feet and hung from the sunporch ceiling fan). And she learned to love the highs and lows of youth baseball, firmly believing, as any self-respecting grandmother would, that Andrew was clearly the most handsome and skilled player on the team.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Shelley (Ward) Bennett, her son-in-law, Michael Bennett, grandchildren Catherine, Meredith, and Andrew Bennett, all of Houston; her brother Barry Ward and sister-in-law Beth Ward, and sister Becky Smith and brother-in-law Marlin Smith, all of Sulphur Springs, Texas; nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly; Shelley’s in-laws, who were also close family to Jan—Donny and Glenna Bennett and Deanna (Bennett) Hooey and Reggie Hooey; and several close friends. Those there to welcome her on the other side were her parents, George Henry and Gladys Ward, her oldest brother, Jim Ward, her beloved grandparents, and host of good friends and pets made whole again.

Jan is desperately missed by all those she has left behind. Our hearts are so broken by this unexpected loss. We have been blessed to know her, to love her, and to be loved by her. Always our biggest and proudest supporter, we know she will be cheering us on from above.

A memorial service celebrating Jan’s life will be held at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77008, at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 19, followed by a reception on site. In lieu of customary remembrances, those who wish to make memorial contributions in Jan’s memory may direct them to Jan’s memorial fund at Animal Justice League (animaljusticeleague.org): https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8WQMK483A3RKC.