Frances Marie Ward (nee Mynaugh), formerly of Villanova, PA, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2020 at her residence in Bryn Mawr, PA. She was 82.

Daughter of the late James Patrick and Sarah Frances Shadell Mynaugh, she was born in Sharon Hill, PA on July 30, 1937.

Fran was the beloved wife of John B. Ward. Devoted mother of John (Anke), James (Nancy), Matthew (Christina), Andrew (Mary Colleen), Christopher (Heather) and the late Mark and Mary Jane ("Missy"). Loving grandmother of James (Renee), Peter, Bonnie, Matthew, John, Christopher, Courtney, Colin, Bridget, Torin and the late Trent. Great-grandmother of James and Cecilia.

Fran grew up in a large Irish American family in Sharon Hill. She was very close to her brothers, James ("Jay"), John, Joseph, and Charles ("Chick"), and sister Regina ("Jean"). In the 1950s and early 1960s, Fran's grandmother, Mary Jane Mynaugh, would host Sunday dinner for all family members who could attend. Mary Jane's house, at 3439 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, could host the large group that included Fran's numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. The menu never changed: baked ham and baked potatoes. Fran's uncle, Monsignor James Mynaugh, often attended these cherished family dinners.

As the youngest child, Fran's brothers and sister looked closely after her and encouraged her to apply for (and win) academic scholarships to Holy Family Academy in Sharon Hill and Holy Family College in Philadelphia, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.

While in college, Fran worked for the University of Pennsylvania Hospital as an administrative assistant. Upon her graduation from college, she worked for General Electric as a Mathematician.

While studying at Holy Family College, Fran met John Ward. On one of their first dates, when John took Fran home to meet his parents, she didn't mind that he asked her to help with the paperwork for his business. From there, they began a true love story, and were married in 1960. They lived on Old Lancaster Road in Bryn Mawr where they welcomed five children. The house was filled with love and laughter, but was also beginning to burst at the seams. As a result, Fran and her sister, Jean, started house hunting. To John's surprise, she signed an agreement to purchase a larger house on Hilldale Road in Villanova, where they moved in 1969. Two more children, Andy and Chris, were born after the move.

Fran was the primary caregiver to her son Mark, who passed away after a long illness in 1972, and to her daughter, Missy, who passed away from leukemia in 1980. Fran possessed the perfect combination of gentleness, love and strength as well as a deep spiritual connection to God.

Beginning in 1976, Fran was the office manager for John B. Ward & Company, arborists, working side by side with John for 27 years. The company slowly grew as their sons entered the business, beginning with Jim in 1987. Fran expertly handled all the administration of the business, built an early database of clients and implemented the majority of organizational systems still in use today.

Fran's work with John led to her involvement with the International Society of Arboriculture, Penn-Del Chapter. She was a dependable volunteer at the annual Lancaster symposium and with the newly created Certified Arborist program. Fran also established a scholarship fund for students pursuing course work in arboriculture. The first fundraiser at John and Fran's house in Villanova grew into dinner dance fundraiser events at Longwood Gardens. Fran was proud of the amount of money raised at these events and made sure every penny went to student education. Her work culminated in the establishment in 2013 of the Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship, which is administered by the International Society of Arboriculture Tree Fund.

Throughout her life, Fran had an amazing amount of love to give. When her children were in grade school and high school, the day started with a hot breakfast and a brown bag lunch, with every child's name neatly written on their lunch bag. Dinner was served at 6pm. Anyone missing dinner because of sports would find their meal in the oven under Pyrex glass. Always positive and smiling, Fran was an amazing Mom.

Fran constantly thought about others and performed random acts of kindness – it was simply her nature. One way she expressed her thoughtfulness was through baking. It seemed that just about all the cakes, scones and muffins that came out of her oven were for neighbors, friends or soon-to-be friends.

As the John B. Ward & Company office manager, Fran could flex her schedule to make time for bowling leagues and tennis. Fran was especially proud to bowl in the "cleanup" position for her team. With each strike, her personality would shine.

Fran and John lived on Hilldale Road for 35 years. Here they developed deep, meaningful relationships with many neighbors. The children were often asked to pick that night's vegetables from the garden that Fran so lovingly planted each year. In those days, children and their pet dogs would play all over the neighborhood until the dinner bell rang. Hilldale Road was also home to the family dog, Duke, and for a period of time, Missy's pet horse, Shannon. The house and neighborhood hold many happy memories for the entire family.

Fran was active in several local parishes over the years. She taught CCD at St. Thomas of Villanova for many years before deciding to start attending church at St. John Neuman in Bryn Mawr. While there, Fran loved to prepare dinners for Meals on Wheels. Her religious work continued at Our Mother of Good Counsel in Bryn Mawr, where she was a reader and a Eucharistic minister, and where she continued to prepare meals for others.

In 2004, John and Fran moved back to their original house on Old Lancaster Road in Bryn Mawr. They renovated the house to make it suitable for retirement and planted many gardens and patio areas. Fran hosted family dinners at every opportunity.

Fran developed community and friends everywhere she went. From 1987 to 2017, Fran and John loved to vacation at their home in Toe Head, a tiny village outside of Skibbereen, Ireland. Fran loved her Irish friends, and several came to visit in Bryn Mawr. Her community of friends in Ireland have already planned a special mass in her honor.

Fran had a unique ability to connect with people in a genuine way. She was always thinking of others and made the most of every day. She was deeply in love with John and cherished all times when our family could assemble for a holiday or Sunday dinner. We know Fran is in heaven and will pray to her often. We will never forget her loving ways.

Relatives and friends are invited to Fran's viewing from 9:00 to 10:15 AM on Wednesday, January 29 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Road, Bryn Mawr, PA. The funeral mass will begin at 10:30 AM. Interment will be private for the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 5300 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143-4993 or to Divine Waters, Attn: Jim Mynaugh, 143 Oak Bent Trail, Lipan, TX 76462.