Marcella Ward Obituary

Former Durango resident Marcella Ann Ward died of Creutzfeldt Jakob disease Thursday, April 4, 2013, at her home in Snowflake, Ariz. She was two weeks shy of her 64th birthday.

Mrs. Ward was born to Miguel A. and Mary Virginia Valdez on April 17, 1949, in Dragerton, Utah. She grew up in Durango, graduating from Durango High School in 1968.

On July 7, 1970, she married Ernest Lee Ward in California. They lived in Lawndale, Redondo Beach and Torrance, Calif., before settling in Snowflake, Ariz., in 2005.

After her children grew up, she worked in a doctor's office until her husband retired.

Mrs. Ward enjoyed sewing, quilting and gardening.

"She had a heart full of love for Jehovah God, her family and friends," her family said.

Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her daughter, Marlayna Lee Ward.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Ernest Ward, of Snowflake; daughter, Serena Mallon, of Escondido, Calif.; parents, Joe and Virginia Willcoxon, of Copperas Cove, Texas; brothers, Miguel A. Valdez lll, of Bloomfield, N.M., and Mark Valdez of Riverside, Calif.; two grandsons; and extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2303 Arlington Ave., in Torrance.