Obituary of Sarah E. Ward

Mrs. Sarah Emeline Ward, affectionately known to all as Emmy, passed away Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025, at Wilson Medical Center. She was 86 years old, but never looked her age, and certainly never acted it. Emmy is survived by her adoring husband of 67 years, Richard (Dick) Ward. She was born Sarah Emeline Tennant on October 8, 1938, in Camptown, Pennsylvania, the eldest child of four siblings and only daughter to Robert and Sarah Tennant. She graduated from Vestal High school. Emmy was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Sarah Tennant, brother and sister in law Chuck and Barb Tennant, her brother Richard Tennant, her brother in law and sister in law Robert and Wanda Ward, her mother in law and father in law James and Mabel Ward, and many uncles, aunts, cousins, and close friends. Emmy is survived by two children, Richard "Rich" Ward (Sasha) of Charleston NC, Lorie Ward (Ray) of Endicott NY, an ex son in law that she wouldn't let go of Bill Linkroum (Anna-May); her 8 grandchildren, Tim Linkroum, Amysue Linkroum (Trevor), Kerry Ward, Gary Ward, Kristina Charriez, Joyce Coston, Jack Coston, and Annabelle Coston; 7 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; her abundant nieces, nephews, and cousins, and dozens of honorary kids and grandkids. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her. Emmy married the love of her life Dick on November 29,1957 at Tracy Creek Memorial church. She was in a terrible car accident earlier that year leaving her in a full arm and body cast shortly before the wedding date. Emmy wanted to postpone the wedding, but Dick said that would be bad luck and so they proceeded. She still had the full arm and upper body cast the day of the wedding, so they cut her dress and sewed her in it. They made a large bouquet to cover the stitches and she was able to walk down the aisle to the man of her dreams. They went on to build a home on the hill in Vestal, raising two children and countless animals. Emmy was the very definition of a supportive housewife and homemaker. While Dick was working one of his many jobs, Emmy would be baking something delicious, tending to the garden, feeding the chickens and goats, and caring for not only her two children, but the countless others that would need her help. No matter how tired she was, she made sure dinner would be ready, hair and makeup done, when Dick came home from work. She never gossiped about the black sheep of the family, only prayed for them. She never spanked her grandkids when they misbehaved, she would talk with them. She was a born teacher, teaching her kids and grandkids how to cook, sew, paint, bake, how to grow flowers and food, how to fold a fitted sheet, how to catch a hummingbird and how to just live your best life and love unconditionally. When Emmy's children were grown she went back to work as a bus driver for Vestal schools. Two of her grandkids moved in with her and again, no matter how tired she was, she mothered them too. After retiring she babysat a little girl (Olivia) and immediately made her an honorary great granddaughter. She volunteered for the women's auxiliary of Vestal Fire Department company #2 for over 30 years. She was a devout Christian and was a member of a few different baptist churches over the years, but eventually went back to the church she was married at in 1957, Tracy Creek Memorial Church. It was there that they renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary and where she continued to worship until her passing. Emmy cared for so many, but boy did she not like being cared for. After falling and breaking her femur and hand feeding the orioles, countless friends and family were by her side. Her husband was brought to the hospital and nursing home every day by either her daughter Lorie, or her brother in law Dave. Her nieces Kristi and her daughters Halie and Jaida, and Deb and her daughter AJ, visited often and were a huge support! The family is so very grateful for everything. Emmy, Dutch, Mom, Grandma, GG, Aunt Em, so many names, one enormous heart. She loved so big that her heart just couldn't take it any longer. There are no words great enough to describe the love for Emmy and for the love she gave all of us. Calling hours will be at Tracy Creek Memorial Church on May 27th from 10am to 12pm, funeral to immediately follow. Because we need the tissues for tears and not for allergies, we ask in lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Tracy Creek memorial church, or to your local bird sanctuary. Emmy truly loved her birds.