Bridget (Breege) Teresa Ward passed away the morning of October 5, 2021 in Naples, Florida at the home of her daughter, Anne Marie and son-in-law, Donald (Scott) Yohe. Anne Marie and other family members, together with close friends, were at her bedside when she peacefully went to join her beloved husband, Brendan Joseph Ward. Brendan had gone to his eternal reward, less than two and a half months ago, on July 24, 2021. Breege was truly surrounded by angels that Tuesday morning as two of these loving friends and caregivers sang a beautiful duet of her favorite song, “Amazing Grace” in perfect harmony. Brendan would have been so pleased. Breege was a very devoted wife and her incredible love story with Brendan spanned more than 70 years, including 65 years of marriage. She was born in Foxford, County Mayo, Ireland on January 8, 1929 to parents Mary (nee Brogan) and Martin (mac Deasy). Breege emigrated to New York City in 1955 but maintained her love for and connection to Ireland and its culture. She and Brendan retired to Naples Florida and resided in the Park Shore neighborhood for over 20 years. As one of six children, Breege was inculcated in early life of the importance of family and that nurturing quality endured throughout her 92 years. Family and her Catholic faith were the cornerstones of her life. She lived her Christian faith throughout her life, attending mass every day, even through challenges of recent frailty. She gave generously on a daily basis to the Catholic Church and its many charities. She had a special affinity for the poor and children. Breege Ward was a highly successful business woman and partner with her husband Brendan. She was progressive in her thinking and believed woman and men were equal – a true feminist ahead of her time. Breege and Brendan owned and operated Ward Travel Agency in New York for nearly 30 years. It was the premier agency on the east coast serving the United States – Ireland market. Breege had a strong head for business. She also worked diligently with Brendan to secure an international air travel route to the west of Ireland, now Ireland West Airport, Knock. Breege loved dance and music from her early days in Ireland and strongly supported Brendan when he formed the Brendan Ward Orchestra in famous New York City Center. She took good care of her children, and as education and continued learning were important to her, she and Brendan provided their children with the best of educations. Breege and Brendan loved to travel throughout the world. They considered meeting people of various cultures and backgrounds an education equal to institutional learning and, of course, fun. They always took Anne Marie, Brian, Erin and Fionnuala with them. That choice and close family bond impacted their childrens’ lives (and many others) in such a positive way. Breege enjoyed decorating and design, and worked hard at keeping her beautiful home(s) pristine. She invested in many successful real estate and other business ventures, attaining her own real estate licence. She baked Irish brown bread and other traditional Irish recipes almost every day into her nineties, and was good at it! Mostly, Breege cherished her freindships that she and Brendan shared equally. Her friends seem to be endless and all share qualities of loyalty and loving kindness. When friends refer to Breege (and Brendan) words such as “loving”, “caring”, “kind”, “selfless”, “generous” and “loyal” are repeatedly mentioned. The Ward family was highly respected and active in the Irish-American community in New York. They also maintained their strong ties to their native Ireland and were very involved in Irish politics throughout their lives. Both Breege and Brendan stayed well connected to their Foxford hometown in the west coast of Ireland (County Mayo) and maintained property in the east coast of beautiful Dalkey (County Dublin) for many years. In addition to family and faith, Breege’s love of Ireland and its culture were omnipresent. Bridget (Breege) Teresa Ward is predeceased by her husband, Brendan Joseph Ward, and is survived by her children Anne Marie Yohe, Brian Ward, Erin Taylor, and Fionnuala Regan; her daughter-in-law, Nora Ward, and sons-in-law Donald (Scott) Yohe, Michael Taylor, and Sean Regan. Breege is survived by her brother Michael Deasy and sisters-in-law Mary Gallagher-Deasy, Mary Morgan-Deasy and Fay McCallion Deasy. She is predeceased by her two sisters, Eveleen Deasy and Maura Deasy; and brothers, Raymond Deasy and Noel Deasy; her mother Mary Deasy and father Martin Deasy; Aunts Annie, Katie and Bea and Uncles Michael Brogan and James Brogan on the Brogan line, and James Deasy and Christian Brother Pat Deasy on the Deasy line. Also predeceased is her grandmother, Catherine O’Hara and grandfather, Michael Brogan. Her ten grandchildren include Christopher Ward, Brian Ward, Bridget Taylor, Michael Taylor and his wife Jill, Matthew Taylor, Clare Taylor and her fiancé Mike Petrun, Eibhlin Regan, Patrick Regan, Eilis Regan and Roisin Regan. She has nine nieces and nephews, Maria Deasy, Martin Deasy, Nanettte Deasy [residing in the United States], Jane Marie Deasy (and her husband Brendan Walshe), and Mary-Ann (and her husband David Bisoni) [residing in England] , Susan Deasy, Eveleen Deasy, Rosemary Deasy and Catherine Deasy [residing in Ireland]. And, six grand nieces and grand nephews, Dylon Deasy, Jessica Flynn, Michael Walshe, Fay-Marie Walshe, Francis Bosoni and Dominic Bisoni. Breege is predeceased by her mother-in-law Elizabeth Clarke-Ward and father-in-law Denis Ward, sisters-in-laws Hannah Ward O’Hara and Betty Ward Joyce, and niece-in-law Mary Joyce. There are numerous other family by marriage including close nieces-in-law and, nephews-in-law, their children and grandchildren, and cousins, among others, living throughout the world. Her lineage is so extensive that it is impossible to name all, but all were equally important to Breege and Brendan. This is an impressive lineage (not unlike those of other people at that time in Irish history) of outstanding loving kind family members into which Breege was born 92 years ago. That background, together with the history of Ireland back in the 1920’s, as well, as the very strong spirited and independent women (particularly the Brogan line of women) with whom she was raised, influenced Breege early in her life. It was no wonder Breege Ward was independent, confident, perservering, strong willed, compassionate, and highly intelligent. While at times, she could be perceived as being bossy (most times for good reason), her pure loving kind heart and gentle nature never faltered. Her devotion was to God and her family, and she performed many quiet acts of kindnesses we are still discovering. Breege’s good heart and spirit, her humble nature and love for others guided her actions each and every day of her life, through quiet self sacrifice and selfless behavior. May this gentle soul rest in peace.