Joyce VanDrunen ’53 Ward

Joyce Ward, nee Van Drunen, died February 11, 2023, in Annapolis, Maryland, with family members by her side. She was 91 years old.

Mrs. Ward was born in South Holland, Illinois, the daughter of Luke and Agnes Van Drunen. She was raised on a farm alongside her siblings and went on to study math at Hope College. Her sport was archery and she attended church every day.

After graduating college, and a short stint to the west coast, she started her first job as a stewardess for Trans World Airlines; life changing because this is where she met her future husband.

She married Roy Ward in 1956 and the couple eventually settled in West Islip, where they raised their four children.

“Our mom enjoyed traveling, cooking, drinking hot coffee while reading the New York Times, Broadway shows, spending time at Southward Ho, playing bridge with her friends and spending time with her family,” said her daughter Julie. “Robert Moses was her favorite beach and she enjoyed the simple things in life.”

She is survived by her children, Lynne Grimm and he r husband Paul of Riva, Maryland; Roy Ward Jr of Cutchogue, Julie Wilke of Annapolis and Thomas and his wife Janet of Great Falls, Virginia. Nine grandchildren and seven great – grandchildren also survive her.

She was predeceased by her husband in March of 2019.