Melinda "Mindy" Dee Gervais Ward passed away on Saturday September 28, 2024, surrounded in the loving embrace of her family.

Mindy was born on March 1, 1960 to Carolyn and Neil Gervais in Houston, Texas. She spent her childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio with her two brothers, Neil and John Gervais, sledding down snow covered hills, reading voraciously, and sneakily roller skating inside their house when her parents were away. They returned to Houston in her teen years, where she attended Robert E. Lee High School, graduating in 1978. Mindy attended St. Thomas University where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in history.

Mindy became certified as a paralegal and worked for several law firms in Houston, where she eventually met her husband Kenneth Ward. They married in 1988 after a whirlwind 3 week romance, and she became a loving step mother to his daughter, Katy Ward. Their first daughter Amanda was born in 1989, and their second daughter Kelly was born in 1994. Mindy adored her girls and was a devoted and loving mother. Mindy took her niece Kristina Hernandez under her wing and considered her an unofficial daughter.

When Kelly was diagnosed with leukemia in 1998, Mindy spent every week of the next two years taking her to chemotherapy appointments, staying with her overnight in the hospital, and throwing herself fully into Kelly's care. Due to Mindy's significant involvement and care, Kelly has remained cancer free for 26 years.

Mindy was a life long learner and incredibly smart, once passing the MENSA entrance test and preliminary testing for Jeopardy. She took pride in her intelligence and even returned to school briefly in 2003 to take nursing prerequisite classes at Houston Baptist University. Mindy enjoyed crossword puzzles, Scrabble, books, bird watching, cross stitching, caring for her dogs and cats, trivia contests, traveling to historic locations, nature, and visiting friends.

Mindy fiercely loved her family and friends unconditionally. She was always someone you could depend on for a warm hug and a caring ear. Mindy considered her daughters her best friends and they kept in constant contact regardless of distance or time. She adored her mother and father and was always so proud of the family they helped raise.

Her daughter Amanda gave birth to her granddaughter, Emily Willow Saiz, in 2017 and Mindy fell in love instantly with her. Mindy was Willow's biggest fan, often describing her as a perfect angel. Mindy adored being a grandmother and causing mischief with Willow. She was so excited to move just down the road from Willow and Amanda in July 2024, and loved seeing them several times a week. Amanda would often have to chase them around as Mindy and Willow snuck off, giggling and scheming on her mobility scooter.

Mindy passed after battling a long and difficult sudden illness on September 28, 2024 with her daughters, granddaughter, son-in-law, brothers, sister-in-laws, and nieces and nephew by her side, embraced in their love and support.

Mindy was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jack and Verona Curby, and husband Ken Ward.

Mindy is survived by her daughters Amanda Ward and Kelly Ward, step-daughter Katy Ward, granddaughter Emily Willow Saiz, mother Carolyn Gervais, father Neil Gervais, brother Neil Gervais Jr and his wife Ana Gervais, their children Niccole Gervais and Natasha Garcia, and grandchildren Sebastian Stephens, Lexxie Christiansen, Aurora Malm, and Lilly Malm, her brother John Gervais, his daughter Kristina Hernandez, his wife Lina Gervais and their children Christopher Gervais, Sophia Gervais, and Michelle Gervais.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mindy's memory to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.