Arnold woman killed in QA County crash

Diana Jean Ward had looked forward to the weekend. Her friend Lynda Rose was in town from New Jersey, and they had planned a Saturday afternoon of golfing and eating lunch on Kent Island.

But tragedy struck before the two women could get a bite to eat. As Mrs. Ward attempted to turn onto southbound Route 8 from Long Creek Drive at 11:45 a.m., she pulled into the path of a Toyota Camry and was struck, Maryland State Police said. Mrs. Ward, 56, of Arnold was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mrs. Rose, 59, was flown to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore with serious injuries, police said. She was treated and released, shock trauma officials said. The driver of the Toyota, Carol Jane Bender of Stevensville, was not injured.

Mrs. Ward's family said the women had just wrapped up nine holes at Blue Heron Golf Course before the crash. Her husband, Buck Ward, said his wife loved to golf. She also liked to fish, shop and take trips to the beach.

Mrs. Ward and her husband were planning a vacation at Myrtle Beach next Sunday.

Mr. Ward said his wife was "the most wonderful person in the world."

She was a devoted mother of three grown sons and a stepmother to a grown stepdaughter. She also had two young grandchildren, with a third on the way. And Mrs. Ward had a special relationship with her 6-year-old granddaughter, Riley.

A few years ago, Riley and her parents moved to Texas, Mr. Ward said. The young girl was upset that her grandmother couldn't read to her anymore. So Mrs. Ward bought a voice recorder, and a bell. She would record herself reading the books, and ring the bell when it was time to turn the page. Then, she'd mail the book and the tape to her granddaughter.

"Riley would have the tape, and the book, and know when to turn the page," Mr. Ward said. "She really looked forward to getting those envelopes in the mail."

Mr. and Mrs. Ward were married 12 years ago.

"We're two people who are so far different, it's like the North Pole and the South Pole," her husband said. "But somehow, it worked."

He said his wife "had her doctorate in shopping" and bopped around local shops whenever she got the chance. She was a "smart shopper," he said. Her only weakness was shoes.

"She had a fantastic sense of humor," Mr. Ward said. "And God, could she cook."

This morning, family sat in Mr. Ward's Arnold home and reminisced about the meals Mrs. Ward would cook for them.

Pizza casserole was the family favorite, Mr. Ward said.

"She couldn't stand making it anymore, but everybody asked for it," he said with a laugh. "So she'd make it. That's just the kind of person she was - very thoughtful."