Sally W. Bristol Obituary
Age 94 of Portage, formerly Grosse Pointe, passed away November 7, 2025. Sally was born in Grosse Pointe on July 28, 1931, the daughter of James and Louise (Dailey) Hoyt. Sally earned a degree in nursing and was for many years an Emergency and Trauma nurse at Bronson Methodist Hospital.
Sally was married to Dr. Stuart Ward, a dentist who practiced in Kalamazoo, who passed away in 1974. She then married Dr. Robert Hume, a surgeon at Bronson Hospital, who also proceeded Sally in death in 1999. She married Norman Bristol, an attorney for the Kellogg Co. in Battle Creek, later at Howard and Howard in Kalamazoo who passed away in 2008.
During her life, Sally visited all seven continents. Her travels took her to many places, including Africa, India, Burma, Thailand and China. Of all these exotic locations, the Antarctic was one of her favorites. She trekked the mountains in Nepal and the Andes in Peru. She white water rafted in Alaska and New Zealand, and she even rode a camel in Timbuktu. Whether off to Cuba, Australia or Croatia, her suitcase was always ready! She took to the sky to try hang gliding, ultra-light flying, hot air ballooning and sky diving!
Sally was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she served as deacon and on the session. Besides her church membership, she was a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League, Service Club/Junior League of Kalamazoo, The Kalamazoo Institute of Art, PEO Chapter DI, the Lawyers Alliance, the Kalamazoo Area Medical Alliance and a book club.
While at home, Sally enjoyed tennis, sailing, pickleball, tai chi and yoga.
Sally is survived by her children, Janet Ward Roberts (Dennis Roberts) of Kalamazoo, Jeff Ward of Vicksburg, Amy Ward Kelly (Paul Kelly) of South Carolina, Peter Ward (Jenny Bebee) of Chicago and Michael Ward of Richland. Her grandchildren, Lindsay Kelly, Katie Ferguson, Hannah Herrick, Hunter Piper, Payton Kelly, Maxwell Clancey, Grace Ward, Isabella Ward, also four great grandchildren, and countless friends.
Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents and a sister.
During the years of all her adventures and travels, Sally's fountains of pride and joy were always her beloved family. She had a deep and abounding love for her children and grandchildren. Treasured memories of gatherings filled with happiness and laughter, especially the many occasions on the deck of their cottage at Coldwater Lake, will never be forgotten, and her family is forever grateful.
