Nancy D. Ward

Nancy was born in San Antonio, Texas, on November 26, 1933. She was the daughter of Harold and Audrey Quinn. Nancy attended elementary school at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School and high school at St. Mary’s Catholic School and Brackenridge High School. After marrying Jerry W. Ward, the couple lived in many different areas of Texas, including Midland, Big Spring, Winters Silsbee, Houston, Corpus Christi, and Fort Worth.

While in Corpus Christi, Nancy became an effective advocate for her intellectually disabled daughter, Dianne Ward, carrying on that advocacy while living in Houston and Fort Worth. She actively lobbied and advocated against the closure of State Supported Living Centers as a member of the “Parents Association for the Retarded of Texas,” now called “Parents & Allies for Remarkable Texans.” She served many years as president of that organization and spent hours and days at the Texas Capitol lobbying on its behalf.

In addition to her faithful service to Texas residents, her advocacy work includes testimony to the US Senate on the Medicaid Home and Community Quality Services Act of 1987 legislation.

In 2005, a respected research journal once featured two “Parents’ Perspectives.” One of those parents was Nancy Ward.

My daughter, Dianne, age 43 (in 2005), resides in a state-operated ICF/IID . . . the stereotype of ‘isolation’ (a perceived negative outcome of large ICF/IID placement) is defied . . . Activities include community concerts, sporting events, shows, outings to restaurants, special events, Six Flags, the Texas State Fair, and other activities. These opportunities provide entertainment and true integration with the community surrounding our state facilities.

Within the [ICF/IID], the staff, families, friends and volunteers join together to provide parties, holiday celebrations, dances, worship services and other social activities.

Nancy also attended real estate school and became a realtor in Houston, Texas, in the early 1970’s.

Nancy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Jerry Wesley Ward; her mother and father, Harold and Audrey Quinn; and her brothers, Keith, Danny, and Jerry Quinn.

Nancy is survived by her daughters, Jerri Lynn Ward and Susan Payne, and her husband, Ronnie Payne of College Station, Texas, and Dianne Ward of Brenham. Her grandchildren also survive her, Jarad Payne and his wife Nadia of San Antonio, Meagan Payne of Boise, Idaho, and Travis Payne and his wife Halie of College Station, as well as her great-grandchildren Caleb, Garrison, Kai, and Wrenly Payne, brother Stephen Quinn and his wife Pam, and nieces and nephews and their families.

A visitation for Nancy will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough, 1101 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Interment will follow in Mission Burial Park South.

Flowers or plants can be sent to Porter Loring at the address above, or donations can be made to the “Parents & Allies for Remarkable Texans” at Box 40096, Austin, TX 78704.