Myra N. Ward

Myra N. Ward, a remarkable woman whose life was marked by dedication, resilience, and love, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026. Born on April 21, 1929, in Beebe, Arkansas, Myra was the youngest of nine children to William and Edith Hefner. Raised on a farm during the challenging times of the Great Depression, she developed a deep appreciation for hard work, financial discipline, and the simple joys of life—lessons she carried with her throughout her life.

Myra’s early years in Beebe were filled with the joys and responsibilities of farm life, which sowed the seeds for her lifelong passion for gardening. She attended Beebe Elementary School and then graduated from Junior Agricultural College High School as a proud member of the National Honor Society and Homecoming Queen. She went on to earn an accredited medical record technician certification from the American Association of Medical Record Librarians in 1968. Myra set a powerful example for her children, all of whom went on to achieve postgraduate degrees with honors. This legacy of academic excellence continued to inspire her grandchildren, many of whom hold Masters and Doctorate degrees.

Myra enjoyed a distinguished career as a Health Systems Analyst at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri, where she dedicated 31 years of service before retiring in 1994. Even with her professional commitments, Myra was a devoted single mother who raised three children with unwavering strength and love. Often working two jobs to provide for her family, she displayed a steadfast commitment to their well-being and success, instilling in them the values of discipline, education, and independence that would guide them throughout their lives.

A woman of many interests, Myra’s spirit bloomed brightest in her garden, where she lovingly tended to tomatoes and other plants wherever her life took her—even planting a tomato garden outside the apartment buildings where they lived. Her love of gardening was a beautiful reminder of her childhood on the farm and her lifelong connection to nature. She also delighted in antiquing and had a keen eye for bargains.

Myra’s heart was enriched by the presence of family and the joyous company of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She cherished her extended family, finding immense happiness in their visits. Even in her later years, the smiles of her ten great-grandchildren—Aydin, Maci, William, Mason, Colton, Harper, Dominic, Jackson, Samantha, and Scarlett—would light up her face and fill her with pride and joy.

Her life journey took her from St. Louis to Denver to be closer to Nancy and Mark Flanigan, her beloved daughter and son-in-law. There, along with her son Bob, she found a new home in Thornton, Colorado, where she spent her later years surrounded by those she loved.

Myra is survived by her daughter, Nancy Ward Flanigan, and son-in-law, Dr. Mark Flanigan; her grandchildren: Jennifer (Frank Trevino) Featherston, Dustin Featherston, James (Andreya) Ward Flanigan, Scott (Stacy) Flanigan, and John (Sara) Flanigan; and her ten beloved great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her eight brothers and sisters and her son, Robert Glenn Ward, and daughter, Myra Janet Featherston-Sharp.

Throughout her life, Myra embodied the qualities of intelligence, strength, and boundless love. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose legacy of perseverance, education, and compassion will continue to inspire all who were fortunate to know her. As we remember Myra, we celebrate a life beautifully lived—a life that touched so many hearts and left an indelible mark on her family and community.

May her memory forever be a blessing.