Dorothy M. Ward, a longtime supporter of Roland Park Country School and Johns Hopkins Hospital who enjoyed collecting and operating model trains, died Thursday of respiratory failure at her Roland Park home. She was 91.
"Dorothy was a wonderful woman. She was one of the most generous individuals I've ever met," said Jean Waller Brune, head of Roland Park Country School. "She never put herself forward, but whenever the school needed help, she was always there."
"Dorothy Ward was a true friend to many," said Peggy M. Strahan, a longtime friend who lives in Lutherville. "She was kind, thoughtful and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was generous with her time and treasure."
The daughter of Christian Emmerich Mears, a businessman who worked for the White Flour Co. in Baltimore, and Dorothy May Packham, a homemaker, Dorothy Warren Mears was born in Baltimore and raised on North Hilton Street in a home overlooking Lake Ashburton.
After graduating from Roland Park Country School in 1942, she earned a bachelor's degree in 1946 from what was then Hollins College, now Hollins University, in Roanoke, Va.
She taught at the Cathedral School before her marriage in 1948 to Dr. Arthur Thomas Ward Jr., a Baltimore surgeon and businessman.
Her husband "lovingly referred to her as 'The Miss,' in recognition of the fact that she was a classic lady — a woman of inner and outer beauty, elegance and charm," her daughter, Robin Ward Puleo of Bethlehem, Pa., wrote in an email.
In addition to being an ear, nose and throat specialist, her husband had a second career as owner and chemist at the National Paving and Contracting Co. in Northwest Baltimore.
Mrs. Ward's charitable interests included Roland Park Country School, where she served for years as a trustee, and supporting cancer research at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
In recognition of her support, the private school for girls named the Dorothy Mears Ward House on its campus after her. The Mears Terrace is named after her parents, and a classroom commemorates Mrs. Ward's grandparents, Ms. Brune said.
A fire in 1976 prompted the school's move to Roland Avenue, and "Dorothy was the first major donor who helped us relocate to where we are today," Ms. Brune said. "That was Dorothy. She was always there and never wanted any fanfare."
Since 1982, the school has given a graduating senior an award in Mrs. Ward's name.
"She established scholarships, numerous endowments and anonymously paid private school and college tuitions for deserving students," her daughter wrote. "Her generosity was matched only by her modesty. Gentle and reserved, yet her acts of kindness spoke volumes."
"Our friendship was based on a love for Roland Park Country School and Hollins College," said Kathy Hudson, a Roland Park writer. "She had a million friends, legions of friends, and was devoted to them forever. ... She was also very modest about her great generosity."
"Dorothy was all about family and friends, and she held Roland Park Country School in her heart like it was family," Ms. Brune said.
Mrs. Ward supported animal shelters and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and adopted stray cats and dogs. She once bottle-fed 12 Saint Bernard puppies that had been abandoned by their mother, family members said.
"She was devoted to her pets and loved them," Ms. Hudson said.
Mrs. Ward studied and collected art and miniatures, and had a passion and appreciation for interior design.
Her love of model railroading resulted in a vast permanent layout that took over an entire room in her Blythewood Road home. She collected O-gauge Lionel and Z-gauge model trains and constructed a wall-to-wall raised layout filled with tracks, accessories and carefully crafted scenery.
"Even in her 80s, if a train went off the track, she would kick off her shoes and climb on top of the display to make the repair," her daughter wrote.
Children enjoyed coming to see the layout, "which had lots of action," Ms. Puleo said in a telephone interview. "She also liked traveling by train."
Mrs. Ward enjoyed being near the water. It was a love that dated to her childhood, when she spent summers fishing, crabbing and swimming at her parents' second home on the Eastern Shore, and continued as she vacationed in Ocean City with her husband and children.
She was a devotee of steamed crabs. Hours after Mrs. Ward gave birth to their daughter, her husband appeared in her room at Union Memorial Hospital carrying a tray of perfectly steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs.
Mrs. Ward had been an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Woman's Club of Roland Park, Baltimore Country Club and the Elkridge Club.
Her husband died in 2002.
"She was a fascinating woman who knew what was going on in the world," said Mrs. Strahan. "She loved her children and was always wonderful to her friends."
Mrs. Ward was a communicant of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St., where a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 2.
In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Ward is survived by a son, Arthur Thomas Ward III of Ruxton; and six grandsons.