Susanne Ward

Susanne Ward (nee Spittler), 90, of Florence Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Rosedale Green under the peaceful support of Hospice Care of St. Elizabeth.  Susanne lived life to its fullest. She was a homemaker, seamstress, knitter, jewelry maker, synchronized swimmer, and a beautiful artist. With her art, she used every medium available, and her favorite subjects were her family.  But more importantly she was a loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother and friend.

Susanne, born in Cleveland, Ohio, found her talent in art early on and spent many years producing some of the most beautiful paintings, lithographs, pottery and jewelry. Susanne studied painting and art at Notre Dame College in Cleveland, Cleveland Institute of Art, St. John’s College in Cleveland, Mount St. Joseph University, and Northern Kentucky University, attending every art class available. Her children have such fond memories of their mother spending hours in her basement studio, mitering frames and stretching her own canvases, throwing clay on her potter’s wheel and baking her creations in her kiln.  Her artwork was displayed at many local art shows in Greater Cincinnati, Cleveland, Ohio, Sun City, Florida and Sun City, Arizona. One of her greatest achievements was creating the original Norseman logo for Northern Kentucky University, which is the mascot for sporting events, as well as other college activities.  Her logo design was used for many years.

The many careers of Susanne included teaching art at Mount Carmel, Cleveland, sewing instructor at Singers Sewing Shop, bookstore assistant manager at Northern Kentucky University, real estate agent for Century 21, and docent for the Taft Museum and Cincinnati Art Museum.  She was a member of the National Association of Realtors, Red Hat Society, Northern Kentucky Women’s Society (serving as VP) and many art organizations (too many to mention). She was a long-time member of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Burlington, Kentucky.

When she wasn’t creating art, she was an avid bingo player and loved playing the slots.  She taught her nine children and countless grandchildren to play penny ante poker (her personal favorite – Spit In The Ocean). She loved attending art exhibits, the opera and the symphony.  She was a synchronized swimmer when she and her husband retired to Arizona, and her team won the Arizona Senior Olympics.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Dr. Richard Ward, Genevieve Spittler (mother), Dr. Felix Spittler (father), Father Ernest Spittler (brother), Richard Spittler (brother) and Carol Menk (sister).

She leaves behind her nine children – Therese Stewart (James-deceased), Carol Engleman (John), Susanne Britton (Stanley), Richard Ward (Billie), Timothy Ward (Donna), Jeanne Bloebaum (David), Thomas Ward (Lori), Catherine Koop (Thomas) and Christine Kidd (Michael-deceased) and three brothers – Thomas Spittler (Joan), Felix Spittler (Claire), Quentin Spittler (Barbara-deceased) and 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 18, 2022, from 5pm-8pm at Linnemann’s in Burlington, KY.  A Catholic mass will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 10am at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Burlington KY, followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Michell, KY

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice – St. Elizabeth Foundation.