Louise Ward Obituary

Louise Ward

July 7, 1952 - June 9, 2025

Louise Carrel Sturdy Ward, 72, of Charlottesville, Va., passed away peacefully at home on June 9, 2025.

Born July 7, 1952, in Detroit, Mich., Louise was the daughter of Frederick Luckhurst Sturdy, Jr. and Elaine Carrel Finney Sturdy. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Louise was raised in Detroit, where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Charles "Chuck" Mason Ward. She graduated from Redford High School in 1970 and completed the Registered Nursing program at Michigan State University with Providence Hospital. Louise and Chuck married in 1974. After several changes in station with the US Army, the couple moved to Charlottesville, Va. There, Louise worked as a labor-and-delivery charge nurse at Martha Jefferson Hospital. She trained countless nurses for both Martha Jefferson Hospital and University of Virginia Medical Center before becoming a stay-at-home mom for her two daughters, Carrel Emily Ward Jakab and Laura Elaine Ward Gift.

Louise was a lifelong learner of the Bible and dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. She led and participated in Precept Ministries in the Crozet and Charlottesville areas for over 40 years. Louise volunteered as a Sunday School teacher at almost every church she attended-even at a two-week overseas military assignment. She occasionally served at local nursing homes and was a Christian educator for Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood, Va. When her oldest grandchildren entered elementary school, she began serving as a Sparks leader for the AWANA chapter at First Baptist Park Street. Her love for the Lord was infectious and a great influence on her family and friends.

Louise was an adventurous woman of many talents and hobbies. She enjoyed bowling and watching soccer games, was an avid reader and gardener, and traveled across the United States to research her family history. She was also active in the Civil Air Patrol for most of her life, eventually serving as the Squadron Commander of the Monticello Composite Squadron. While eight months pregnant with her youngest daughter, she flew a solo flight to obtain her private pilot's license.

She also served as a Girl Scout leader and camp nurse for a majority of her daughters' childhoods.

Louise enjoyed traveling with her family over the years, including several trips to Israel and Germany. Louise and Chuck celebrated their 50-year wedding anniversary by exploring Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii this past fall. Many of their adventures were to visit her beloved panda bears in zoos across the world.

Louise was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. The faithfulness of her life was evident through her service to the church and Jesus Christ.

Louise is survived by her husband of 51 years, Charles "Chuck" Ward. She is also survived by her two daughters, Carrel Jakab (Tamás) of Manassas, Va., and Laura Gift (Kevin) of Roxboro, N.C. Four grandchildren, Hallie and Xander Gift of Roxboro, N.C. and Logan and Elena Jakab of Manassas, Va. She is also survived by her sister, Claire Marshall (Steve) of Milford, Mich.; one nephew, Todd Marshall of Lindenhurst, Ill.; and one niece, Jennifer Marshall of New Hudson, Mich.

The family offers special thanks to the care teams from UVA Medical Center, the UVA Couric Cancer Center Neuro Oncology Unit, Hospice of the Piedmont, Visiting Angels and Charlottesville Health & Rehabilitation Center during her battle with brain cancer these past six months. Many thanks to friends and family for the outpouring of prayers and support during her end-of-life challenges.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 19, 2025, at First Baptist Park Street. There will be a time of visitation at the church starting at 10 a.m. A private burial at the family cemetery will follow at a later date in Constantia, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all memorial contributions be sent to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA and First Baptist Park Street.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.

Hill and Wood Funeral Service

201 1st St N, Charlottesville, VA 22902