Janet Ruth Ward
Born on October 19, 1947 in Dubuque, IowaPassed Away October 26 2026 in Melbourne, Florida
Janet Ruth Ward, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, joined her Heavenly Father on October 26, 2026, just one week after her 79th birthday.
Janet was born on October 19, 1947, in Dubuque, Iowa, to James and Louise Moore, and spent her early years just across the state line in Hanover, Illinois. In 1957, the family moved south to Melbourne, Florida.
Janet graduated from Melbourne High School and Brevard Junior College and went on to attend the University of Florida. In May 1969, she met Jim, just a few weeks after he came home from a tour of duty with the U.S. Army. From the start, Jim knew she would hold a special place in his heart, and only seven months later, in December 1969, they were married.
Their son Kevin arrived in 1973, followed by Jeff in 1976, and Janet poured her warm, loving heart into raising them. Being a full-time mom was a role she treasured, and she waited until both boys had finished junior high before going to work. She spent more than 20 years at Brooks Enterprises.
Those were glorious years. Janet watched both sons graduate from high school and college, marry and start families of their own. Through it all, she kept her infectious smile and caring spirit, and she shared both freely with her family and her many friends.
She was an outstanding cook, and her beef stroganoff was a family favorite. Birthdays and Sunday dinners were cherished Ward family traditions, but Christmas was truly Janet’s season. Every year she went completely overboard with presents for everyone, and she loved every minute of it. Family, neighbors and friends looked forward all year to her famous Christmas party mix. She always put others before herself.
Janet loved spending time with her grandchildren. They fondly remember catching her in the occasional minor transgression, and her reply was always the same: “Don’t worry, grandmas can’t get arrested.” She proudly celebrated her oldest grandson’s college graduation and watched her other four grandchildren head off to college, each well on the way to a degree.
She was a blessing to everyone she met, and she never met a stranger. Since retiring, she volunteered at any and every opportunity but her favorite activity was working weekly in the media center at Meadowlane Intermediate with her son Kevin. Janet also kept weekly lunch dates with her treasured friends, and walked daily with close neighbors keeping a stash of treats to hand out to the neighborhood dogs.
Surrounded by her Melbourne family, Janet went peacefully to reunite with her parents, James and Louise, in Heaven.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 57 years, Jim; son Kevin (Natalie) and grandchildren Jake, Avery, and Kate; son Jeff (Leigh Ann) and grandchildren Kaelyn and Heath; sister Kris Anderson and her husband, Xen, of Corunna, Indiana, and their children Nikki, Jamie and Xachary; in-laws Trisha, Dan and Ryan [Nicholson] of Tallahassee; and the entire Self family, from Melbourne, Georgia, and California.
The family is deeply grateful to the EMTs, doctors, and nurses at Holmes Regional Medical Center who provided excellent care, love, and support for the family.
