Obituary of Maxine Ward
Maxine Ducket Ward
Maxine Ducket Ward was called home to be with the Lord on October 15, 2018, a month before her 102nd birthday. She was born in Emporia, Kansas to the late Donald and Mary Ducket and was preceded in death by her sister Ethel and grandson Matthew Rein.
In her preteens, Maxine and her family moved to California where her step father constructed movie theaters. She married Robert Ward in her early twenties and settled in Syracuse, New York, where she lived for 75 years. At age 97 she left Syracuse to live with her daughter, Joan Rein (Robert) in South Carolina for 2 years. Maxine returned to New York to reside at The Landing of Brighton in Rochester to be near her daughter Sharon Hamann and her family.
She had a humble, quiet spirit, and a servant’s heart. Her faith in Jesus and God guided her life. Maxine served faithfully at Delaware Baptist and Eastwood Baptist Churches of Syracuse. For the past 3 years she attended First Baptist Church of Rochester and rarely missed a Sunday service.
She was a fabulous baker and her children and grandchildren raved about her fudge, chocolate covered nut clusters, banana bread, sausage bread, fruit cobblers, and pies. She loved flowers, especially roses, and had a green thumb with her house plants. She was also an accomplished seamstress.
At age 52 she started ballroom dancing lessons with Arthur Murray Studios and it became her passion. Maxine danced at the New York State Fair, on television, and in many competitions throughout the United States. She created most of the dresses she wore in her 33 years of dance competition and she earned many awards and trophies, but the friendships she made were most precious to her.
Maxine worked as a supervisor for the New York State Compensation Board until she retired.
Her family was blessed by being loved by such a kind, gracious, and amazing woman. She was an inspiration to everyone. Maxine is survived by her daughters Joan Rein (Robert) and Sharon Hamann; grandchildren Cassandra Renfro (Jeffrey), Andrew Rein (John Cook), Christopher, Chet (Patty), and Amanda Hamann (Jayson Haedrich); great-grandchildren Katelynn and Elizabeth Hamann; Christopher, Kennedy, and Cody Hamann; and Nola Kai and Maxine Haedrich. She was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews, especially to Carol Ann and Les Ball who were always ready to lend a helping hand.
A service celebrating her life will be held on November 10, 2018 at 11AM at First Baptist Church of Rochester, NY,175 Allens Creek Rd. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in her honor to Eastwood Baptist Church, Syracuse, NY, 3212 James St., Syracuse, NY, 13206 or to First Baptist Church of Rochester. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at The Landing of Brighton (Atria) for their kindnesses and care of Maxine.
