Mary Ann Ward

There will be another celebration of both Ann and Donna on May 7, at Mike’s house.

Mary Ann Ward was born September 28, 1924, in New York City, to immigrants from Greece. She was the youngest of three children. They grew up in the restaurant and boarding house owned by their parents: George and Helen Carcanis.

Mom loved to sew – so much that she attended a special High School across ‘town’ that focused on sewing. She graced so many of us with her creations: dresses, gowns, a full tailored suit for Dad.

She and her sister Connie worked in the War Office during World War II, where they could ‘check out the men’ on paper before going on dates.

Mom married Dad on May 29, 1954, after knowing each other a big 6 months. They moved to Japan for their first year of married life. There, mom fell in love with movies – they reminded her of home. And her love for cooking began with her interest and curiosity of the markets there.

When they returned and their first daughter, Jeanette, was born, they moved to Texas, where they lasted 3 weeks, and then to California, where they bought a house in Santa Clara, had their second daughter, Donna. They lived in that house for 18 years. Dad was the dreamer; Mom was the planner. If it got done, it was because Mom got us organized. She drove us endless miles for swim meets. She got Dad to agree to buy their first dishwasher when she made a fund-raiser dinner for 100 people in our home.

Mom taught us the value of rituals and rhythms, although she never called it that. Each year the day after Thanksgiving was our girls’ day in the Big City of San Francisco. Each summer we went to Clear Lake where we water-skied, and had “happy hour with sparkling conversation” before dinner. When we were adults, each year we had a women’s weekend of 4 or 5 days in a different city each year for 20 years. She built memories for us to carry with us and pass on to our own children.

Mom and Dad entertained many many people over fabulous dinners that mom created. She loved to cook, and served and loved the people around her generously with her meals.

And her desserts. For a number of years mom had a dessert dinner every New Year’s Day. Come hungry and eat slowly. There grew to be 18 desserts to sample in large and small quantities. What a way to start the year! Even when she needed a walker, she was still making desserts, and making sure everyone ate them.

Mom spent time in Pullman with her sister creating all kinds of crafts: quilted jackets, embroidered purses and pictures, Old World Santas, ribbon-work. She also made embroidered greeting cards – they were a work of art – and another sign of Mom’s love and generosity.

Mom lived her last 5 years after Dad died, with Mike and Donna and their girls, Oksana and Vika. She loved the dogs, and had a ritual of treats for them whenever they had been out and came back. Hattie got the biggest treat as she was Mom’s favorite. She loved her time with Oksana and Vika. She and Oksana sat and talked; she and Vika cooked and joked together; she and Mike watched a lot of Turner Classic Movies together.

We will miss you Mom – and we love that your knees don’t hurt anymore.