- Born on: July 2, 1936
- Departed on: July 20, 2017
- Resided in: Indianola, IA
Mary Jane Harward
Mary Jane Harward, of Indianola, IA, peacefully passed from this life on Thursday, July 20, 2017, at Westview Care Center where staff and her family tenderly cared for her.
Mary Jane Briggs was born in 1936, in Fairfield, IA, to William August Briggs and Ida Jane (Faulkner) Briggs. Mary wed the love of her life, Bobby Lee Harward on December 26, 1954, in Fairfield.
Mary was preceded in passing by her parents, and is survived by her husband Bob, children Deborah Smith (Doug Wahl) of Indianola, Holly Harward of West Des Moines, Mark (Angela) Harward of Dallas, TX, Susan Harward of San Rafael, CA, her brothers William (Linda) Briggs of Fairfield, and John (Pam) Briggs in Michigan, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, three nieces and five nephews.
Mary excelled in music at Drake University in Des Moines and Parsons College in Fairfield. She was a beloved private instructor in piano and voice, organist and choir director at First Christian and Four Square Gospel Churches in Fairfield. More recently she resumed playing cello. She relished riding Harley Davidsons with Bob, hunting, gardening, sewing, operating Harward Insurance & Realty in Fairfield, and traveling the Midwestern and Western U.S. for rock and gem shows as an accomplished gemstone faceter. Mary conveyed much wisdom and faith to her family and treasured friends.
Mary exercised her lifelong interest in healing by taking responsibility for Bob`s rehabilitation from a devastating stroke in 2001. She invented and implemented daily therapies which resulted in his improved quality of life.
Family and friends are invited to an informal luncheon and celebration of Mary's life at noon, Saturday August 19, 2017, in the Great Hall of Simpson College. Guests are asked to place reservations by noon, Monday August 14, 2017, via celebratemary2017@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, any contributions in Mary's memory may be made to Westview Care Center or the charity of the donor's choice.
Mary Jane Briggs was born in 1936, in Fairfield, IA, to William August Briggs and Ida Jane (Faulkner) Briggs. Mary wed the love of her life, Bobby Lee Harward on December 26, 1954, in Fairfield.
Mary was preceded in passing by her parents, and is survived by her husband Bob, children Deborah Smith (Doug Wahl) of Indianola, Holly Harward of West Des Moines, Mark (Angela) Harward of Dallas, TX, Susan Harward of San Rafael, CA, her brothers William (Linda) Briggs of Fairfield, and John (Pam) Briggs in Michigan, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, three nieces and five nephews.
Mary excelled in music at Drake University in Des Moines and Parsons College in Fairfield. She was a beloved private instructor in piano and voice, organist and choir director at First Christian and Four Square Gospel Churches in Fairfield. More recently she resumed playing cello. She relished riding Harley Davidsons with Bob, hunting, gardening, sewing, operating Harward Insurance & Realty in Fairfield, and traveling the Midwestern and Western U.S. for rock and gem shows as an accomplished gemstone faceter. Mary conveyed much wisdom and faith to her family and treasured friends.
Mary exercised her lifelong interest in healing by taking responsibility for Bob`s rehabilitation from a devastating stroke in 2001. She invented and implemented daily therapies which resulted in his improved quality of life.
Family and friends are invited to an informal luncheon and celebration of Mary's life at noon, Saturday August 19, 2017, in the Great Hall of Simpson College. Guests are asked to place reservations by noon, Monday August 14, 2017, via celebratemary2017@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, any contributions in Mary's memory may be made to Westview Care Center or the charity of the donor's choice.
