Obituaries
Obituary: Karen Ward
She served the community with compassion, strength, and unwavering kindness.
Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.
Karen (Maloney) Ward
Karen Ward, age 59, of Joliet, passed away on March 29, 2026 at Lightways Hospice surrounded by family and friends. She fought a courageous battle with breast cancer.
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Karen earned her MBA and Doctorate of Education from the University of St. Francis. She dedicated her career to helping others through her work at Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet, where she served the community with compassion, strength, and unwavering kindness.
Karen believed deeply in lifting others up, even while facing her own challenges. Her work was more than a profession- it was her mission to bring hope, support, and dignity to those in need. Through her leadership and generous spirit, she touched countless lives.
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She became a passionate advocate for cancer awareness in memory of her father John Maloney and through her own cancer journey. Since 2004, Karen participated in the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life and as a Survivors' dinner volunteer. She organized a holiday dinner donation drive for Joliet Police Department officers through Fit Foundation in Crest Hill, IL, and also served as a commissioner for the Joliet Housing Authority, helping ensure stability for residents in need.
She will be remembered for her resilience, her dedication, and her gentle kindness.
Friends at Harmony Community Church witnessed her faith in Christ, especially during her cancer battle. Karen enjoyed good times with her friend, Sue and family. She had a special relationship with Aunt Helen and cousin, Karla and a fondness for their snickerdoodle cookies.
Karen is survived by her children, Chelsea (Tim) Rusk and John Ward; sisters, Colleen (Greg) Bernhard, Kathy (the late Michael) Salela; brother, Steve Maloney; dear friend, Sue Purkart; niece and nephews, Alyssa, Nick, Matthew, Nathan and David; her granddaughters, Emilia and Kennedy; her loving godmother and aunt, Helen Vescovi; aunt, Marian (Ray) Peregoy; uncle, Robert (Lynn) Ericksen; many cousins, including her dear cousin, Karla Button, and friends also survive.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Daniel; her uncles, C.J. Ericksen, Pete Vescovi, Dominic Tortorici and Robert Tierney; Aunts, Judy Ericksen, Nora Tierney, and cousin, Sueann Tierney Bates.
Her family wishes to thank the medical team at Silver Cross, especially Dr. Maher Mourad and Dr. Sunil Narula, and Lightways Hospice, which included her friend and social worker, Melissa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Joliet Relay for Life/ Sue Purkart, “Team Lunatoons” or to Lightways Hospice would be appreciated.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Karen Ward will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church, 706 N Broadway St, Joliet, IL, 60435, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com, where those wishing to honor Karen are encouraged to share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
