Virginia Nell Ward

Nell will be lovingly remembered and missed by her husband of 51 ½ years, John Ward, III and her siblings Lee C. Nichols (Darlene) of Rockwall, TX and Nancy L. Halverson of Las Vegas, and her 2 nieces, nephew and their families. Also missed by many friends across the USA and some around the world.

Nell grew up in Louisville, KY. She graduated Bachelors of Arts Cum Laude with honors in Chemistry from Hanover College in June 1969. She started her career at Eli Lilly on July 1, 1969 as an Agricultural Analytical Chemist and retired February 28, 1999 from the MSDS department at Lilly’s.

Nell loved to travel, hike and attend plays and concerts. She collected Nativity scenes from around the world and loved decorating multiple trees at Christmas time. Other hobbies of Nell’s included knitting, cross stitching, and other crafts. However, her most loved interest was her dogs.

She was in her 30’s before ever having pets and her dogs quickly became her life. There were usually 2 Berners in her and John’s home and they also fostered several. Summer was their last Berner. She passed in January 2020. That was a sad time for Nell and John as they realized that Nell’s health and their ages prohibited them from having another dog.

Nell was quite active in National Specialties for Bernese Mountain Dogs. In 2006 Nell started the Rescue Gallery to honor those dogs that had a rocky start in life, but eventually found loving homes. She continued that work through 2015 when her health began to deteriorate.

Memorial donations can be made at the BMD Charitable Foundation. https://www.bmdcf.org/donate (4th drop down option on the donate button)

Donations to your local PBS station would also be appropriate.