ONEONTA - Catharine Annie Jackson Ward of Oneonta went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 22, 2024, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law Debra and Robert.

She was born Feb. 22, 1932, in Walton. She was the last surviving child of Percy and Annie Wolf Jackson.

Catharine was a member of Elm Park United Methodist Church and a member of The United Methodist Women.

She graduated from Delaware Literary Institute in 1949 (Franklin Central School) where she played the bass drum in the marching band and was prom queen. She also graduated from Delhi College. She worked at Camp Milling Company, Walton, and later worked at Delhi College, from which she retired in 1993. She worked very hard at bettering her Civil Service grade and retired as an administrative assistant. She was very proud that she was chosen for the CSEA Award for Exceptional Merit in 1989. She was still in contact with Mark Peel and Darnell Cole and remembered them as very kind bosses.

Catharine married William J. Ward Jr. in 1950. He predeceased her in 1992. They raised four children in Walton and moved to Oneonta in 1977. She enjoyed living at St. James Manor for 20 years and made many friends there.

She is survived by her children, Debra (Robert) Rousay, John Ward, Cathy (Gary) Backus, and William J. Ward III; grandchildren, Venessa (Jon) Therrien, Sabrina (Jeremy) White, Jessica Backus-Foster (Brian Foster), Erin (Christian) Virzi, Tucker (Christine) Backus, Bryan (Felicia) Backus, William J. Ward IV, Kayleigh (Truitt) Seitz and Kristina (Tyler) Mooring; great-grandchildren, Gideon Backus-Wildey, Eve, Raegan and Martie Foster, Jordan, Isaac and Canaan Therrien, Graydon, Oliver, Noel and Declan White, Hazel Mae and Marshall Backus, Christopher and Amelia Mooring and Toren Seitz; sisters-in-law, Janet Jackson and Lina Jackson as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

As well as her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her siblings, Percy, Ambrose (Dora) Art and William Jackson, Minnie VandeMark, Ruth (Ike) Kelsey, Margaret (Lee) Bailey; and by special friends, Bob Palmer and Bob Graham.

Calling Hours will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.

Celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 28 at Elm Park Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., Oneonta, with the Rev. John Buddle officiating.

The burial committal service will be 10 a.m., Monday, July 29 at Walton Cemetery, 55 Fancher Ave., Walton.

Memorial contributions in Catherine's name can be made to Elm Park Methodist Church or United Presbyterian Church, 58 East St. in Walton.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com.