Mary Ellen Ward

Mary Ellen Heitsch Ward, age 96, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2012, at her home in Avon Park, Florida. Mrs. Ward was born in Pontiac, Michigan on June 24, 1915, to Robert D. and Gladys (Hodgson) Heitsch. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1939 with a master's degree in Public Administration, went to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority and later Hillsborough County during which time she became the first female to gain membership in the American City Planners Association. She and her late husband, Franklyn, moved to Avon park in 1948. After the birth of their son, they founded Ridge Area Association for Retarded Citizens in 1957. Mrs. Ward spearheaded the fundraising efforts to build Ridge Area Day School in 1960, orgainzed the Highlands County Special Olympics a few years later, and eventually established the first of several group homes for the developmentally disabled in the Heartland area. She was an outstanding advocate for people with disabilities for over 50 years, serving on the local, state, regional and national Associations for Retarded Citizens, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, the State Infant Screening Advisory Council, the Governor's Advocacy Committee and the Florida Prevention and Health Committee. During this same time, she served on the Highlands County Planning and Zoning Board, the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, the South Florida Community College Foundation, sponsored the S.F.C.C. Cultural Series from its beginning, and served as a vestry member in the Episcopal Church. She is survived by her daughters Debbie (Tom) Barber and Marcia Ward (Rodney Anderson) and her son, Rob Ward, all of Avon Park; brothers Charles W. (Leona) heitsch of Bourbon, MO and Lawrence D. (Elaine) Heitsch of Birmingham, MI; grandchildren Eric Barber of Pant City, FL, Doug Barber of Orlando, FL, Elizabeth (Mike) Abell of Sebring, FL, Patrick (Jennifer) Barber of Lexington, TN, Katie (Neil) Barnett of Cranberry Township, PA, Robert (Jaime) Barber of Venice, FL, Kelly (Heath) Seeber of Lakeland, Fl, Jody Anderson of Avon Park, FL and Morgan Anderson of St. Petersburg, FL, as well as six great-grandchildren, Gavin Abell, Lawsen Seeber, Gage and Logan Barber, Zoey Barnett, and Addison Barber. Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, G. Franklyn Ward, her parents, a sister, Chloe Sargent, and three brothers, Robert, James and Richard Heitsch. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 26, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home with Rev. Jim McConnell officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to either Camp Wingmann, 3404 Wingmann Rd., Avon Park, FL 33825, or Ridge Area ARC Foundation, 120 W. College Dr., Avon Park, FL 33825. Arrangements entrusted to Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home - Avon Park