On Feb. 15, Ward Mayberry died after two months at Seasons Hospice House at Lincoln Park Hospital in Chicago, with a close friend by his side. He was 41.
Ward grew up in Pekin, Illinois, where he first showed his unique knack for performance in a variety of outlets, first as an gymnast and later in his high-school show chorus, The Notables. He graduated Illinois State University with a bachelor of science degree in 1989, and moved to Chicago soon thereafter. A supremely talented clothing designer and draftsman of exacting aesthetic standards, Ward initially took a job doing alterations at Ultimate Bride and later began his own dress-design business, specializing in wedding splendor. He was proud to create couture bridal gowns for his nieces Andrea and Nicole, and his final project was an elaborate Halloween costume for his great-niece Gigi.
In addition to delighting brides, he fashioned a steady stream of eye-popping garments with a radical-faerie flair for himself and his friends. For example, he once transformed a really ugly sequined bridesmaid’s gown into a rockin’ roller-derby outfit for Gay Skate night at the (now-demolished) Rainbo rink. Many more stories about Ward could be told, but some aren’t precisely suitable for publication; even those that are would fall woefully short of having actually been there and seeing him in action.
An active contributor to Chicago culture, Mayberry loved attending dance, theater or rock shows, or was in the bars afterward—especially in the ’90s and early ’00s, before his long battle with HIV took its toll.
Ward enjoyed a close relationship with many family members, especially his mother, Vernice Funk, and his beloved nieces and nephews. During his final months, he was surrounded in a close circle of loving friends, including Katie, Cathy and Penny, who helped care for him.
A memorial gathering was recently thrown in his Rogers Park apartment; a formal memorial will be held March 24 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home in Pekin. Memorial contributions may be made to Seasons Hospice, which can be reached via its Web site, www.seasons.org.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cook County Core Center, 2020 W. Harrison, Chicago, IL 60612, or Seasons Hospice House, Lincoln Park Hospital, 550 W. Webster, Chicago, IL 60614 (or www.seasons.org).
Obituary submitted by friends of Ward Mayberry.