Veronica M. Ward

Veronica Marie (Calvert) Ward, 90, of Indianapolis, IN, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born April 10, 1932, in Sanborn, Iowa, to the late Clyde Sr. and Grace Calvert. She was the youngest of six children. Veronica’s deceased siblings include: Burdetta, Awanda, Dorothy, Clyde, and John. Her family moved to Southern Indiana in 1937. She attended St. Lawrence Catholic Church Grade School and graduated from Lawrenceburg Consolidated High School in 1951. She met the love of her life, and future husband, Donald W. Ward (Osgood, Indiana), on Labor Day, September 7, 1953, on a blind date. It was love at first sight for both of them. Veronica and Don were married November 10, 1956, and were happily married for over 65 years.

During her high school years, she was the Harvest Ball Queen, Prom Queen, and Homecoming Queen. She graduated from high school in three years despite having tuberculosis and being hospitalized in Cincinnati. Post high school, she was the administrative assistant to the Superintendent of the Lawrenceburg Consolidated High School and was a member of the philanthropic Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority for over 70 years.

Veronica and Don moved to Indianapolis, January 1st, 1957, where they planted their roots and started their ever-growing family. After moving to the big city, Veronica worked at the State House for the Department of Public Instruction. She worked there until she became pregnant with her first child. Veronica and Don have been blessed with six children: Jenny, Don Jr., Joan, Charlie, Michael, and Julie. All six of their children attended and graduated from Pike High School.

Veronica has been a devoted partitioner at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, for more than 50 years. She loved every holiday, especially Christmas and the many Christmas Open Houses, with close neighbors and friends. Veronica attended countless grade school and high school games, recitals, plays, graduations, and weddings for her children and grandchildren. She prepared memorable meals for no less than 30 people on a weekly basis at her busy home. Veronica will forever be remembered as a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mom, an aunt, a dear friend, and a Memaw. All of Veronica’s children and their families remain close to the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

Veronica is survived by her loving family, her husband, Donald W. Ward; her 6 children: Jenny (Gary Hollingsworth), Donnie, Joni (Terry Guest), Charlie (Vicky), Michael, and Julie (Mark Esterline); her 15 grandchildren: Heather (Matt McClain), Angela, Ashlee (Jeff Roell), Nick (Emily), Michael, Emily, AJ (Sara), Eric (Ashley), Charlie (Lynley), Chris, Ali (Trevor Ellman), Charlie, Grace, Megan, Annie; and her 7 great-grandchildren: Tyson, Tanner, Noah, Emma, Mckenzie, Bella, and Colton.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park North, (2706 Kessler Blvd. West Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46228). A Catholic mass and burial will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Church, (3354 W. 30th St. Indianapolis, IN 46222). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to www.stjude.org (St. Jude’s Research Cancer Hospital) and/or giving.nd.edu (The Order of St. Thomas More-Notre Dame Law School; 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5612). You are invited to share memories, photographs, and online condolences with the family at www.flannerbuchanan.com.