Patricia Evans Ward

Patricia Evans Ward
Patricia Evans Ward, 74, of Fort Pierce, FL, passed away peacefully at Treasure Coast Hospice on February 7, 2015. She was born September 8, 1940 in Exeter, NH to Winston and Martha (Thayer) Evans. She has resided in Fort Pierce, FL for the past 50 years, moving to Florida from Eden, NY. Patricia originally moved to Fort Pierce with her parents when she was 16 coming from Durham, NH. She graduated from Dan McCarty High School Class of 1958. She continued her education at Florida State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree. Her first teaching position was teaching general music at Eden Central School in Eden, NY. She met and married her beloved husband of 50 years, Roy G. Ward in Eden, NY. She and her husband moved to Fort Pierce in 1965. Patricia continued her teaching career in St. Lucie County for the next 15 years. Patricia began a new career in 1982 as a full-time director of music at First United Methodist Church and at the height of her career, she directed seven different choirs. Along with her career at the church, she taught private voice lessons at home and at Vero Beach High School. Patricia also taught private voice lessons as an adjunct professor at Indian River Community College. Patricia was well known throughout the community for producing and directing week-long summer music camps at First United Methodist Church for many years. Patricia was also a member of the Treasure Coast Opera Society singing in the chorus and also singing several roles in 18 different operas. She was also a member of the Pilot Club of Fort Pierce and was ultimately the president of the organization. In 1995, Patricia was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 2) and had an opportunity to enroll and participate in an experimental protocol at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. The protocol consisted of high dose chemotherapy treatments for 5 straight days, followed by a bone marrow transplant. The protocol was successful; however she was left with many physical challenges that she had to cope with for the rest of her life. After retiring from the church in 1996, Patricia and her husband vacationed in New Hampshire as often as possible and they ultimately became the typical snowbirds for the past 15 years.
Patricia is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, Roy G. Ward, her loving daughter Melanie W. Shrensel (William) of Fort Pierce, FL, her sister Elizabeth Evans-Brown of Marlborough, MA. She was predeceased by one sister, Barbara Pascale and her parents.

A memorial service celebrating Patricia’s life will be held at Indian River Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 3:00 PM with Pastor Bryan Wenger officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, 5000 Dunn Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34981 or Indian River Presbyterian Church, Music Fund, 2499 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34982 in Patricia’s memory.