Obituary for Daphne Joan Ward

Daphne Joan Ward, age 95, of Murphy, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2023, after a short illness.

She was born in Port Chester, NY, to Frank Taylor Ward and Jennie Lishman Ward. Quite the individual from Day 1, Daphne was born on the hospital steps – needless to say, the Dr. did not receive a ‘birthing fee!’ Daphne graduated from the Bolton School, in Westport, Connecticut, and attended college at the University of Wyoming and the School of Horticulture in Pennsylvania. She never married. After living for a time in Texas, Daphne moved with her parents to Ft. Myers, FL, where she lived and worked for 25 years. Her favorite years, however, were the last 30, spent in her cabin in Murphy and enjoyed with many lovely friends in this area.

Daphne worked for American Airlines and the Hertz Rental Car agency, retiring in 1988. In her youth, she traveled in Europe for 7 months, and she enjoyed a life-long love of gardening, music, and reading. Daphne also loved cats, dogs, and especially horses. While in Ft. Myers, she also sang lead & baritone with the local Sweet Adelines chorus and several quartets, making life-long friends and many good memories. In Murphy, Daphne volunteered at Valley River Humane Society, Logan’s Run Rescue, and delivering Meals on Wheels. Daphne is survived by Beryl Bryant, her cousin-in-law, of Bath, England, and cousins Lesley Bryant, of Devon, England, and Vicki Engert, of NSW, Australia.

Per her wishes, there will be no formal service. Please remember her fondly, and if you wish, you may donate in her memory to Valley River Humane Society, a Non-Profit Animal Shelter that serves Cherokee, Clay and Graham Counties in North Carolina.


You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com