Kathryn Christine Ward

Kathryn Christine Meany Ward, born March 14, 1923 in Merced, was named after her Mother, Kathryn, and her Mother’s best friend and Chris’ Godmother, Christine Bloss of Atwater. Chris as she was called, spent many happy hours in Atwater, and is where she learned from her Godfather a lesson she followed the rest of her life – to be early rather than past an appointed time or be left behind! Chris and her sister had the benefit of growing up in Merced and a school where their father A.W. Meany was the principal for the system. School continued during a few Summers in Pacific Grove, though the better reason was an escape from the heat. The Summer trips also changed lived as Chris met her future husband there. The mountains were also a favored trip place as Chris and the “gang” of friends spent time skiing at Badger Pass in Yosemite as well as Valley time throughout the year. Chris’ grandfather was Anthony J Meany, born in Ireland, whom settled in the Merced area. He was a Sherriff for more than a decade and also served as a State Senator for two terms.

After WWII, Chris and her husband, Ken, moved to Taft where Ken was employed as a reservoir engineer. Their first child was born there, but after five years, a job and company move was made to Dallas, Texas. Two additions to the family followed there, and Dallas was home for almost 20 years. Chris was fiercely protective of her family, and with three boys there were always battles to be fought and teenage confrontations that popped up, particularly since Ken’s job required a lot of travel. She did well and everyone survived – mostly unscathed, with lessons learned!

A move next came to Shreveport, Louisiana, where Ken established a U.S. subsidiary for a Canadian company, and then decided to become an Independent Consulting engineer. Chris, since her sons were mostly out of the home by now, immersed herself in volunteer work in the Shreveport Arts Council and their festivals, as well as the Meadows Museum on the Campus of Centenary College. She was also active in her neighborhood homeowner’s group, serving as Architectural Chair and President. The painting and graphic arts were a passion for her, as was travel to see beautiful parts of the world and its’ art. Her mother was an artist in her own right and spent many hours doing portrait work.

Chris is predeceased by her parents, A.W. and Kathryn Meany, her sister Marilyn Shook, and her husband, Ken. She is survived by her three sons and their families: son Ken and Vicky Ward with Kirsten Cook, husband Bryan and son Finn; son Gary and Candy Ward with their two children Travis Ward, wife LeAnna and son Tom; Kathleen Fraser, husband Charlie and daughter Grace: son Bryan and Lucy Ward with Payton, Sophie and Jack Ward