Dianella Ward

Dianella ("Nell") Olympia Tombazzi Ward of Hempstead, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the age of 93. Nell was born in Tilden, Illinois to her Italian parents Rosa and George Tombazzi, and grew up in Taylorville, Illinois with her brother Raymond during the Great Depression. At the outbreak of WWII, she worked for the local Draft Board where she would later meet her future husband, Harry Ward, whom she married after his discharge from the United States Army. In 1950, Nell and Harry packed everything they owned in their car and moved to Texas City to start a family and new life together, eventually arriving in Hempstead where they ran Ward's Pharmacy until Harry's death in 1980. Nell was a voracious reader, beautifully skilled in needlepoint and quilting, and loved crafting on Tuesdays with a close circle of friends. She enjoyed playing bridge, working crossword puzzles and solving any challenge involving numbers – particularly stocks - educating herself to become a wise and skilled investor. Nell delighted in sitting around the kitchen table with friends drinking coffee and solving the problems of the world, which she viewed with very little gray and no shortage of opinion. To the very end, she remained young at heart with a sharp wit and curiosity for learning, as well as for teaching her children and grandchildren the value of honesty, generosity and prudence. Nell is preceded in death by her husband, Harry, and son-in-law, David Andrews. To cherish her memory, she leaves behind her daughter Diane Ward Andrews, son Patrick Ward and wife Mary, beloved granddaughters Dana Andrews and Marynell Ward, many close friends and extended family who loved her very much. The family would like to thank the staff at the Forum of Memorial Woods, the wonderful caregivers of Hodge's Helping Hands and Amy Brandenberg, RN of Hospice Compassus for the exceptional care they provided. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 811 Austin St., Hempstead, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Focusing Families, P. O. Box 1053, Hempstead, Texas 77445 or the charity of your choice.

Dianella Ward

May 19, 1922 - November 11, 2015