Alice S. Eklund-Ward
"Matriarch of The Ward & Eklund Families of Lowell"
LOWELL Alice S. ‘Nana’ (Greenhalge) Eklund-Ward, 79, a lifelong Lowell resident, died Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Cambridge after a period of failing health with her beloved family by her side. She was the wife of George M. Ward Sr. with whom she celebrated their Fifty First Wedding Anniversary last year.
A daughter of the late Thomas and the late Emma (McMahon) Greenhalge, she was born August 2, 1931, in Lowell, and was educated in the Lowell Schools, growing up in the Acre.
She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church and St. Margaret’s Church, and raised her family in the Highlands Section of the City. Affectionately known as 'Nana', as the mother of the well known and respected Eklund and Ward families, she was well known throughout the community. Her family was her most important thing in life, and she enjoyed spending time with her children, her grand children, especially Dicky Jr., who she raised as her own son, her great grand children, and her great great grand children. She was also a boxing manager for her sons for many years.
In addition to her husband, George, she is survived by her children, Donna Eklund-Jaynes, Gail Eklund-Carney, Richard ‘Dicky’ Eklund, Phyllis Eklund, Cindy A. Eklund-Cooper and her husband, Joseph, Catherine Eklund-Brady and her husband, John, Alice Eklund-Kelly and her husband, Patrick, George ‘Micky’ Ward Jr. and his wife, Charlene, and Sherri Fells-Ward and her husband, Anthony, all of Lowell; nineteen grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; her brothers and sisters, Robert Greenhalge, Jerry Greenhalge, Jackie Greenhalge, Albert Greenhalge, and Mary Libera all of Lowell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was also the sister of the late Phyllis Greenhalge-Lutkus, the late Buddy Greenhalge, mother in law of the late Larry Carney, Godmother of the late Alvin Lutkus, and sister in law of the late Rudy Libera.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HER CALLING HOURS FROM 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON THURSDAY. ON FRIDAY, HER FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HER FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH AT 11 A.M.. A PROCESSION WILL FOLLOW FOR BURIAL AT ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. PLEASE SEND MEMORIALS IN HER NAME TO; SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL, 1575 CAMBRIDGE ST., CAMBRIDGE MA 02138. PLEASE VISIT US AT MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM TO SEND THE FAMILY AN E-CONDOLENCE AT ANY TIME.
