Elizabeth M. Ward

Elizabeth M. (Bilak) Ward

Elizabeth (Beth) Mary Ward, 86, of Wyomissing, formerly of Lee Park, Wilkes-Barre, PA, passed away Friday, March 10, 2017, in her Son's Wyomissing residence.

Beth was the wife of the late James P. Ward. Together they celebrated nearly 28 happy years of marriage, until sadly, her beloved Jim passed away on September 19, 1998.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late George and Mary (Barno) Bilak.

Beth was a graduate of Hanover Township Memorial High School, (Wilkes-Barre), Class of 1948. She was also a graduate of Wyoming Seminary Dean's School of Business, Kingston, PA. Additionally, Beth graduated from Wilkes-Barre Business College and attended Wilkes and King's Colleges. She was a member of the Young Republican Club of Lucerne County. She was employed professionally in various accounting positions during the 1950's and 1960's with Pioneer Manufacturing Company, Wilkes-Barre; Gulf Oil, Philadelphia; and Wyoming Valley Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Economy Shurfine Food Stores, Inc.), Wilkes-Barre.

Beth and her husband Jim relocated from Forty-Fort, Borough of Lucerne County, PA to Whitfield, Spring Township, Berks County, PA in the summer of 1972, following the Agnes flood which devastated the Wilkes-Barre region. It was her husband's new executive position as General Manager of Polar Foods, former subsidiary of Associated Wholesalers, Inc., of Robesonia, PA, that brought them to Berks County.

Beth was a faithful communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, West Lawn, PA, since 1972, where she was a member of the Legion of Mary, Senior Club and Women's Auxiliary. Additionally, Beth volunteered for many years with Meals-On-Wheels in Wilkes-Barre and Reading.

Beth had a variety of hobbies and interests which included ceramic arts, knitting, Broadway theatre, and entertaining family and friends. She also enjoyed extensive domestic and international travel and family vacations along the Eastern seaboard. In her later years she cherished entertaining her only two grandchildren whom she adored.

Devout Catholic, endearing mother, good citizen and true friend, Beth was, above all, a beloved wife, daughter, mother, sister, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, grandmother, cousin, friend and neighbor. She will be deeply missed and her memory will be forever cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Beth is survived by her son, James G. Cardi, Sr., husband of Aurora, Wyomissing; and her two grandchildren, James, Jr. and Nina; and sister Carol (Sadlucki) Rakaczewski and husband Walter, White Haven, PA. Also surviving is Beth's precious little dog, Austin.

She is predeceased by her brother, Daniel G. Bilak and wife Mary (Shircavage), Wilkes Barre.

Beth's family extends sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to her personal physicians, nurses, nurse aid Amber, and other health care professionals who have given their personal best in providing her with excellent care and attention.

Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Friday, March 24, at Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading.

Visitation at St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, 2810 St. Albans Dr., West Lawn, PA, from 9:00am to 9:45am, Saturday, March 25, 2017, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am.

Committal blessing and internment at 3:00pm in Dallas Township, at the parish cemetery of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 695 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705.

Charitable remembrances or gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN, 38101-2125.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.