Dorothy Ellen Ward, 84, of North Utica, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2009 at her home. Dorothy was born in Fayette, NY on February 10, 1925, the daughter of Albert N. and C'Anna (McMillan) Seeley. After Mr. Seeley's untimely death, when Dorothy was just an infant, C'Anna married George Watson. George raised Dorothy, with her mother, as his own daughter. She was raised and educated in Canajoharie, NY. On April 6, 1946, Dorothy married Richard (Dick) Ward at the Dutch Reform Church in Canajoharie. Mr. Ward passed away in 2008. Prior to her marriage, Dorothy had worked for Beechnut Company, but found her true calling after being married, by becoming a foster parent. She fostered over sixty children in a twenty year span between 1966 to 1986. Dorothy was a lifelong member of Christ Community Church in North Utica, always involved with the church activities. She enjoyed bird watching and tending to her flowers. Dorothy had loved traveling with her husband in their motor home, and had even traveled "coast to coast" together. She was a member of the Good Sam Club. Later in life, Dorothy became an avid reader. Dorothy is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Gail and James Holtslag, Tennessee, Vivian and John Wurz, Cold Brook, NY, Patricia DeSimone, Utica; one son and daughter-in-law, Richard Jr. and Frances Ward, Ohio; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Katherine Thompson, Geneva, NY, Anna Mae and Howard Rickard, Sprakers, NY, Shirley Fish, Mayfield, NY, Peggy and Jim Rogers, Ontario, Canada. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Dorothy is predeceased by her infant daughter, Robin, her infant granddaughter, Jessica DeSimone, and her stepfather, George Watson. Mrs. Ward's funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 10:00 am at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Road, Utica. Interment will take place in Freysbush Cemetery, Canajoharie at 2 pm. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 4 - 7 pm. Dorothy was a beloved woman who believed in angels. For over 84 years, she blessed this world with her angelic charms. She always put her family first, never asking for anything for herself.