Isabel Ward

Isabel Bodine Pierce Ward (A.K.A., “Itsy”) died on December 29, 2020 in Zionsville, Indiana at
the age of 96. Born to Brig. General John L. Pierce and Kate Stone Pierce on August 25, 1924 in
Louisville, Kentucky, Isabel spent her childhood with older siblings Jessie and John as an “army
brat,” residing on numerous U.S. Army bases throughout the U.S. in the 1920s, 30s and early
40s. A favorite childhood memory for her was watching the troops on parade at the various
bases.
She attended Alamo Heights (TX) High School and Monticello (IL) Junior College, and served in
the U.S. Navy Waves during World War II. While in the Waves she was able to watch her
father’s transport ship, lights out, depart New York’s East River for the war in Europe.
Isabel met husband Joe on a blind date in Brownsville, Texas, when he took her across the
border and they danced “The Bullfighter Dance” together at a Matamoros night spot. They
were married on New Year’s Day, 1948, and she gave birth to four sons in New Orleans while
Joe attended grad school at Tulane. While Isabel was pregnant, Joe would take the trolley late
at night to retrieve beignets for her at Cafe Du Monde.
The couple raised their children in Columbus, GA, Carmel, CA and Oakland, CA. It has often
been said that Isabel deserved a medal for raising four boys in 1960s Carmel.
Isabel adored family, near and extended, and was happiest during family reunions. She loved
flowers, squirrels, “kitties,” birds, the Colts, road trips, dark chocolate, operas, the Beatles,
country music, Fred Astaire movies, sunsets, political discussion—-and husband Joe’s special
margaritas (“Isabellas”). She was worldly, and taught her children compassion, honesty, and
appreciation for the wonders of the world. She was a defender for the defenseless, and her
favorite poem was “Compassion” by Miller Williams.
A special memory for Isabel was visiting the Czech city of Plzen in 2010, where her father is
honored to this day for commanding the city’s liberation from the Nazis in 1945.
Isabel was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, Joseph “Zip” Ward; father
Brig. General John L. Pierce; mother Kate, older sister Jessie, and older brother John. She is
survived by beloved sons Joseph, Jr. (Andrea), John, Matthew (Cindy) and Peter (Lena);
grandchildren Kyle (Leti), Travis (Shelby), Tierney, Joseph, Morgan, Savannah, Clair, Cooper,
Madyson and Sam; and great grandson Adrian.
A casual memorial service will be held later this year in her favorite place, Carmel, CA. In lieu of
flowers, Isabel requested that donations be made to the Joseph Ward Fellowship in care of the
IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center via www.cancer.iu.edu/giving or by mail to: IU Simon
Comprehensive Cancer Center, c/o IU Foundation, PO Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207