Amy (Ward) Beir

SALISBURY ­— Amy (Ward) Beir, 88, died on July 22, 2011, after a brief illness. Amy was born in 1922 in Flushing, N.Y., to Edith (Smythe) and Thomas E. Ward. They moved soon after to South Orange, N.J., where she was raised and where she married Howard F. Beir in 1952. Amy attended the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., and went on to graduate from Smith College in 1945. After graduation, Amy worked in New York City, first for Newsweek and then for Scribner’s and the Arabian American Oil Company. Her life took her to the Middle East and ultimately Baghdad, Iraq. Returning to New York City, Amy and Howard had a son, John, whom they raised in Manhattan and Lakeville. Amy was active with many organizations. She served on the boards of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood Association, the New York Altar Guild, the British Schools and Universities Foundation, an organization founded by her father, the Smith College Club of New York and the New York National Society of Colonial Dames. Amy also served as president of the Cathedral Guild of St. John the Divine, where she was recently recognized for 25 years of service. In addition, Amy was a member of The Junior League, the Colony Club, the Colonial Dames and the Mayflower Society. She attended St. James Episcopal Church in New York City.Amy and Howard retired permanently to Belgo Road in Lakeville in the late 1990s. She loved the area and while she loved New York City, she was grateful to be part of such a wonderful community. Amy continued to be active with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury as well as the Scoville Memorial Library, Sharon Hospital and Noble Horizons, where she moved in 2005 upon the death of her husband, Howard. Amy is survived by her son, John; her daughter-in-law, Diane; two grandchildren, Alex and Meredith, whom she loved so dearly; her loving brother, Thomas E. Ward Jr.; her sister, Nancy (Ward) Smith; and many devoted nieces and nephews. She will be sorely missed by her family as well as her many loving friends. There will be a private graveside service Saturday, July 30. Memorial donations may be made to Scoville Memorial Library, St. John’s Church or Noble Horizons. Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon has charge of the arrangements.