Linda June (Town) Ward, 79, entered Heaven peacefully on February 17, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Linda was born on March 30, 1945, in Jamestown, New York to June Evans Town and Lester Town, who was deployed at the time to Germany during WWII. She was blessed to grow up in the small rural town of Clarks Corners, where she would cross the yard to visit her grandmother next door or walk to church at her father’s one-room school house, situated on a road her mother named. She attended Falconer High School, class of 1963, was active in the 4-H program her mother ran, where she learned to make the lattice-top cherry pie that would go on to win her an oven, and participated in Grange, giving everyone a run for their money in dart ball.
Following graduation, Linda worked as a teller at the First National Bank and as an Administrative Assistant to the president of the Bell Telephone Company in Jamestown, New York. She also traveled to Senegal on short- term mission with her local church, stopping over in Spain and the Canary Islands on the way. It was as a volunteer “Gray Lady” at General Hospital that she fell in love with the local pastor, who was making rounds to visit his parishioners. Linda married Jerome (Jerry) Ward on August 4, 1973, in front of over 400 of their closest family and friends!
Following their wedding, Linda went on to become a stalwart supporter of Jerry during his ministry in the United Methodist Church, serving as both pastor’s wife and, often, his church secretary. Together, they served the churches of Panama and Watts Flats, Findley Lake, Kidder Memorial Church in Jamestown, Fredonia, and Wellsville. In 2011, they retired to Orchard Park, where they purchased their first home together and found a spiritual home in Revive Wesleyan Church. They enjoyed traveling, their grandchildren, attending Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra concerts, and time with their siblings. Linda was a true homemaker who loved creating themed cakes to celebrate each birthday, decorating for every holiday, and making each new parsonage a home. She attended Bible Camp with her entire family each summer and always looked forward to her extended family’s 4th of July reunion.
Linda raised two daughters with her husband Jerry: Christina (Rick) of Fairport, NY, with whom Linda spent her final months, and Heidi (J.L.) of Houghton, NY. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Bruce. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, daughters, beloved brothers and sisters-in-law who showered her and her family with sustaining love and prayers throughout this journey, and six grandchildren: Silas, Sadie, Corinna, Eli, Owen, and Lawson, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday, February 28th at the Bayview campus of Revive Wesleyan - McKinley, 4999 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg, NY, with a luncheon to follow. The family will receive visitors from 1:30-2:30 preceding the service. What Linda wanted most was for people to know that she loved life! To celebrate Linda, we ask that everyone wear bright, beautiful colors to her service. In lieu of flowers, Linda asked that you please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation (www.lustgarten.org) or The Camp at Findley (www.thecampatfindley.com/donate). Arrangements have been entrusted to Loomis, Offers, and Loomis, Hamburg, New York, where online condolences may be made.
We remember Linda fondly from our time at Kidder Church. As newer members Linda was always welcoming and supportive at events/services we were able to attend. Our prayers and thoughts are with Pastor Jerry, Christina, Heidi and other family members during this difficult time,
Lynn Ann and Tom Faber (formerly of Jamestown, NY -now in SC)
Served God and her community.