Mary Elizabeth Hanes Ward’s story began in Jerseyville, Illinois, where she was born the oldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. C. M. Hanes. A thoughtful and determined young woman, Mary graduated from Jersey Township High School and later attended the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota.

At St. Teresa, Mary was known not just for her studies but for her leadership. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and was elected Class President for the 1931–32 school year. When I came across her photo in the college yearbook, it struck me right away that Mary was already ahead of her time. There was something in her eyes, in her confident posture, and in her warm smile that showed who she was. Her name and photo stood out among her classmates, and even then, it was clear she was remarkable. Mary did not just become special when she came to Chillicothe—she brought that spirit with her.

After college, Mary continued her studies at the University of Chicago. She chose a path of service and began her career helping others during the Great Depression. She worked for the Illinois Emergency Relief Commission, which helped families get food and basic necessities at a time when so many were struggling. Later, she became a field supervisor for the Works Progress Administration, a national program that created jobs and supported communities across the country. In that role, she helped people in more than twenty counties find work and stability during incredibly hard times.

Mary was one of only twelve social service workers from Illinois chosen to attend a special course at the University of Chicago. Her efforts and compassion stood out. She did not do it for recognition or praise. She simply wanted to help.

It was during this time she met Robert Emmett Ward of Chillicothe. Robert was the only son of Porter and Rose Keefe Ward. He was born in Peoria in 1911, graduated from Spalding Institute in 1930 and from the University of Notre Dame in 1934. He served in World War II and became postmaster of Chillicothe, a position he held for 20 years. He was named Postmaster-of-the-Year in 1956 and was active in many groups in town, including the President of The National League of Postmasters, American Legion, Kiwanis Club, and St. Edward’s Church.

Mary and Robert were married in the Log Chapel at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, on June 16, 1940. Robert had graduated from Notre Dame six years earlier, so the campus held special meaning for them. It was a small, quiet ceremony with close family. Afterward, they took a trip north before settling in Chillicothe, where they raised their two sons, Robert Jr. and Michael.

After years of public service, Mary found a new calling in teaching. She began at Pearce Grade School and later moved to Chillicothe Township High School. For nearly twenty years, she taught English. Her classroom was a place where students learned to pay attention to their words and take pride in their work. Mary balanced kindness with firmness, and her students knew she cared about them.

Many remember her for the little things. Her lessons on grammar stuck with people for life. Her red pen was feared, but always fair. Some students recall how she helped them gain confidence in speaking or writing.

Michael Anderson once said, “She’s the reason I taught English.” Joan Hartzell Read shared, “She was a teacher who shaped minds. She created a grammar snob in me. She is the reason I love reading, writing, and teaching.” Patricia Benten Burnett said, “Can never forget her reading The Littlest Angel around the holidays. She was an amazing teacher, lady, and friend... beautiful one blue and one brown eye.” And Jim Passe laughed about a time he told a friend, “I seen that.” Mary stopped him, mid-step on the stairs, and said, “You did not seen that! You saw that!” He never forgot it.

One of her former students, Josh Taylor, often spoke about the impact Mary had on him. For many years, whenever he returned to Chillicothe to visit his parents, he made it a point to stop by and see her. She was one of his favorite teachers. Josh remembered how she had a way of speaking that was completely her own. It was thoughtful, sharp, and delivered with a rhythm and grace that reminded him of Katharine Hepburn. 

Mary retired in 1973, but she was never really gone from the school or the town. Students could still hear her voice in their heads whenever they wrote something or stopped to fix their grammar. Old friends would still drop by her house on Cutright Street, sometimes just to sit and talk. In so many ways, Mary was still right there with them.

She gave her whole life to helping others, through public work, through teaching, through kindness. Mary Ward wasn’t just a teacher. She was a neighbor, a mentor, and a friend. Her story is one of quiet strength, of showing up every day, and of caring deeply about the people around her.

Mary was a special person to me. She lived on Cutright Street, right across from where the old high school used to be, next door to my grandmother. In August 1978, when my grandmother passed away, I was just 12 years old and heartbroken. It was the first time I had ever lost someone close to me. Mary was there for me. I remember her taking me over to her house and sitting with me in her family room. She spoke to me with a calm voice and helped me understand that even though my grandmother was gone, she would always be with me in my heart.

Years later, I see the same thing with Mary. Her former students still pause before saying certain words, still straighten up when they write a sentence, and still smile when they think of her voice. Just as she reminded me that my grandmother was never truly gone, Mary is never truly gone either. She lives on in the words we choose and the lessons we carry with us. And for that, Mary Ward, Grammar Queen, we thank you.