My mom's obituary

Molly Jean Landis Ward of Harvey, Louisiana died on February 3, 2005 at West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, Louisiana. Her age at death is none of your business; she often said that “a lady does not tell her age.”

She attended Isidore Newman High School, graduated from Leonia High School in Leonia, New Jersey, and before retiring, worked for the Estate of William G. Helis. She sang with the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, the St. Louis Cathedral Choir, St. Patrick’s Choir, and St. Joseph’s Choir. She worshipped at St. Rosalie’s Church in Harvey, worked out religiously at the West Jeff Fitness Center in Marrero, and faithfully participated in the Crescent City Classic and many other local races.

Born in New York City on July 11, 19??, she was the daughter of Carney Landis, Ph.D., and Agnes Marie Thorsen Landis, Ph.D. On her mother’s side, her lineage was as follows:

• Granddaughter of:
  • Jørgen Andreas Thorsen (b. 1838, Drangedal, Sogn, Norway; d. 1924, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
  • Agnes Marianne Børresen (b. 1857, Lillehammer, Norway; d. 1934, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
• Great granddaughter of:
  • Thor Knudsen Aakre
  • Mariken Stenersdatter (b. 1809, d. 1887, Rock Dell, Minnesota)
  • Hans Adolf Børresen (b. 1832, Lillehammer, Norway; d. 1880,Skarness, Norway)
  • Marianne Børresen (d. 1874).
• Great great granddaughter of:
  • Børre Henrik Børresen (b.1807, Løten, Norway; d. 1877, Lillehammer, Norway)
  • Elisabeth Lundgren
• Great great great granddaughter of:
  • Hans Børresen (1749–1811, Løten, Norway)
  • Anne Haagensdatter

On her father’s side, her lineage was as follows:

1. Carney Landis (Jan. 11, 1897– Mar. 5, 1962), Ohio.
2. Byron A. Geeding Landis (1872–1938), Ohio.
3. Henry Karns Landis (1842–1922), Ohio.
4. Samuel Geber Landis (1811–1898), Ohio.
5. Samuel Moss Landis (1770–1838), Blackwater region, Virginia.
6. Henry Naas Landis (1740–1825), Amwell (now Ringoes), New Jersey.
7. Henry Hert Landis (1716–1809), Germany.
8. Hans Heinrich Trumpler Landis (1683–1727), born Switzerland, moved to Markirch, Germany.
9. Hans Johannes Ritter Landis (1641–?), born Richterowel, Switzerland.
10. Rudolfi Schnevoli Landis (1693–?), Hetzel, Switzerland.
11. Hans Bruppacher Landis (1575–?), Hetzel, Switzerland.
12. Rudolf Schiesz Landis (1547–?), Hetzel, Switzerland (brother of Hans, born 1553, beheaded 1614).
13. Johannes Landis (?–?), lived in Hetzel, Switzerland in 1547.

She was the wife of the late Roderick Sartwell Ward (1928–1977). She is survived by her dear cousin, Nancy Roedel of La Mesa, California; her son Michael Carney Ward, M.D. and daughter-in-law Mary Rose Ward of Ventura, California; her son Raymond Peter Ward and daughter-in-law Suzanne D. Ward of New Orleans; her daughters, Patricia Anne Thompson of Hampton, Virginia and Gabrielle Lee Ward-Geho of Virginia Beach, Virginia; her grandchildren, Michael Carney Ward II, Matthew Ward, Marissa Ward, Nicole Thompson, Beaux Thompson, Sophie Sandras, and Dallas Michael Geho; and friends too numerous to list.

Visitation will be held at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, on the evening of Ash Wednesday, February 9, 2005, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with rosary at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday morning, February 10, visitation will be held at Mothe Funeral Home from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; and a funeral mass will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rosalie Church, 600 Second Avenue, Harvey, Louisiana. Burial will be at Westlawn Cemetery in Gretna, Louisiana.

Comments

[Al Nye]

Raymond:

I'm sorry for your loss. She appears to have been a wonderful woman with many talents.

Al Nye

[-Dave!]

My condolences on your loss...

[Jennifer]

I'm so sorry to hear the news, Ray. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[Steve]

As they say in my wife's church, peace be with you and your family.

[Richard]

I am sorry for your loss, and my sympathies to you and those who love her.

[Rufus]

Sorry for your loss. You know, Leonia is a very interesting town. For many years it was one of the preferred suburbs for actors, artists, and intellectuals who didn't want to live in Manhattan. Your mother probably had some good stories about going to high school there with the children of whomever was big on broadway at that time.

[Mike]

Ray,

I'm sorry to hear that your mother passed. It appears that she lived a long and good life, and you must feel blessed to have had her in your life for so long.

Michael

[Marcia (Roedel)Seiler-Christy]

I'm so sorry Molly's no longer with us, but I know she's up there livening up heaven and talking (at length) with everyone around her! We so enjoyed taking her around San Diego when she was visiting with Nan. She was a joy to watch when she was communicating with others, strangers included. You had a great Mom...we'll miss her.

[Casey]

My belated thoughts and prayers for you and you family.

[Susan Skarness]

You do not know me, but I would like to add my sympathy for the loss of your mother. There is no other individual on earth like a mother!! I lost mine on October 30, 2003, and still miss her so very much.

I found your website by searching on Google for "Skarness", my last name. I have never found anyone with that name unless they are related to me. I am just curious if you know anything about Skarness, Norway. My father immigrated to the US in the early part of the 20th century from Norway. He had a most unique name, Arvit Trygve Skarness (although the spelling used to be Skaarness before it was Americanized). I do not know much of our family history and I am just curious, if you will pardon my curiosity, especially at your time of loss.

Susan

[Al Calderone]

I once lived in the house in Ringoes NJ that was known as the Landis House. Is the the family home of Henry Naas Landis?