Molly Irene (Dyke) Ward

WESTFIELD-Molly Irene Ward, nee Dyke, 92, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, in Westfield, MA.  Molly was born October 3, 1926, in Rolleston-on-Dove, England to Herbert and Ivy Lillian Dyke. On July 13, 1956, aboard the Empress of Britain, Molly, her husband, and family, immigrated to North America to make a better life.  She made her first home in Canada, eventually moving to Utica, New York before settling in western New England, making homes in Granby, CT, on Cape Cod, and Westfield, MA.  Her patriotism for her beloved England never faded, forever honoring her British heritage.  Molly’s greatest accomplishment was her family.  She was a steadfast mother to 3, grandmother to 5, and great-grandmother to 11.  She loved all types of music; her favorite being The Beatles. She loved fresh cut flowers, tea, and gardening and knitting in her spare time.  She loved nothing more than to go for a ride and stop for a picnic any time of the year and vacationing on Cape Cod, eventually retiring there.  Molly is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, John Ward, her father Herbert Dyke, her mother Lillian Dyke-Cole, her daughter Sally Ward, and her sisters: Betty Bastin, Barbara Brown, and Sylvia Etherington.  She leaves her daughter, Patricia Vachula and her husband Richard of Westfield, MA, her son Christopher Ward Sr. and his wife Lisa of Suffield, CT, and Shannon Vincelette, her granddaughter whom she loved and raised as a daughter from the age of 3, and her husband Bill of Glastonbury, CT. She also leaves her brother John Cole and his wife Enid of Derby, England, her grandchildren: Jason Charest and his wife Jodie, Melanie Charest, Denise Ward, and Christopher Ward, Jr., and her 11 great-grandchildren, along with many other family members and friends.  A devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her family meant everything to her. Her greatest joy was to spend time and surround herself with those that she loved. To honor Molly’s life and legacy, family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, January 10, 2019, from 3:00-5:00 PM at Avalon Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services, 691 College Highway, Southwick, MA for a period of visitation and reflection.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Molly’s memory may be directed to Baystate VNA and Hospice-Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut St. 6th Floor, Springfield, MA 01199  Online donations may be made at www.baystatehealth.org/giving 

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