Sr. Siena Ward, OP, died at the age of 85 on Friday, July 3, 2015, at Regina Health Center, Richfield, OH. She was born to Edward and Sarah Lilly Ward of Youngstown, OH. She graduated from Our Lady of the Elms High School in 1948, entered the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron, now Dominican Sisters of Peace, on August 24, 1947, and made religious profession on June 20, 1949. Sr. Siena was in her 66th year of religious profession. She earned her BSE from St. John College, Cleveland in 1959. In 1980, she became certified in Clinical Pastoral Education from St. Louis, MO.
From 1949 to 1979 Sr. Siena taught primary grades at Our Lady of the Elms Preschool, St. Paul and St. Vincent, all in Akron. She also taught at St. Augustine, Barberton and St. Dominic, Youngstown. As a teacher, she was soft-spoken yet firm with her students who respected and loved her. Over the years, she prepared numerous second graders for their First Confession and Holy Communion.
From 1980 to 1995 she served in pastoral care and then chaplain at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown. In 1996 she volunteered in pastoral care at Our Lady of the Elms Wellness Center and at Summa Medical Center in Akron. Because of her bedside manner, Sr. Siena brought peace and compassion with those who were struggling with health problems. She was recognized and received awards for her outstanding ministry to the elderly and infirm. Since 2011, Sr. Siena has been a resident at Regina Health Center.
Sr. Siena is survived by nephews, Larry Ward, Schwenksville, PA; Robert Ward, Ormond Beach, FL; Tom Ward, Elmira, NY; nieces, Mary Murphy, Richmond, VA; Marcia Reidy, Corning, NY; Joyce Reiter, Carey, NC and several grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by brother, Thomas and sister, Loretta Donahue.
Visitation took place at the Akron Motherhouse on July 8, and the funeral Mass was held the following day, July 9, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials in honor of Sr. Siena may be submitted securely online at www.oppeace.org or sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219-2098.
Reflection by Sr. Theresa Damicone, OP, and Sr. Bernadine Baltrinic, OP
