Kathryn Ann Ward (Batzle) entered her eternal life on July 26, 2017. She was born and raised in Bloomfield, NJ. She attended Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, graduating in 1956. After meeting and marrying the love of her life Richard (also from Bloomfield), the couple resided in Upper Montclair to raise their 5 children. In 1999, after 34 years of being an extremely active part of the community as well as their parish St. Cassian’s in Upper Montclair the couple retired to Brick, NJ.

“Kate Ann” was a woman of many talents. On any given day while raising her children she could be found gardening, baking a cake, making costumes for the school play or planning a lesson for her CCD class. She was loved by all that met her because of her welcoming and engaging nature. She made everyone she met feel special.

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Richard F. Ward; her children Richard F. Ward Jr. and his wife Marilyn; Mary Beth Gray and her husband Bob; Karen Huelbig and her husband Paul; Sally Ward; Son in-law Jack Flanigan; her brothers Kenneth, Edward and Jeffrey Batzle; her 13 grandchildren (who meant the world to her) and a great grandson arriving in November.

Kathryn will be greeted in Heaven by her daughter Susan A. Flanigan; her sisters Barbara Sivik and Lynn Acocella as well as her parents and many friends and family.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 31st from 4-8pm at O’Brien’s Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Rd., Brick, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 1st at 11:00am at St. Martha’s RC Church, Point Pleasant followed by the interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Toms River.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Hospice c/o Meridian Health Foundation, 1345 Campus Parkway, Suite A2, Neptune, NJ 07753 or the Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey, 3 Eves Drive, Suite 310, Marlton, NJ 08053