For almost 30 years, Charlotte Sweeney Ware cared for the critically ill in Northern Kentucky. “Nursing was her life,” said her daughter, Karen Ware Varney of Cold Spring. “That’s the one thing in her life she was proudest of. . .that she was a nurse.” Mrs. Ware, 67, of Cold Spring, died Thursday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center North after a long illness. She retired as a registered nurse for St. Luke Hospital in Ft. Thomas in 1987 after working in the Cancer Treatment Center and formerly in the intensive care unit. “She was a friend to all her patients,” Ms. Varney said. “She just cared about people.” Mrs. Ware had a lot of faith, her daughter said. “She was a religious woman and that helped her be supportive of her patients. She would try to share strength with them and help them be fighters, too.” The medical care she offered extended beyond people, Ms. Varney said. Mrs. Ware also cared for the cows and horses on the family farm. She was an enthusiastic 4-H mother, Ms. Varney said. “She worked very hard to have a beautiful home,” Ms. Varney said. “She always liked things of beauty and elegance.” Mrs. Ware also was a good mother, Ms. Varney said. “She had very high standards for herself and we have always tried to live up to the expectation she had for us.” Her mother frequented auctions and refinished antiques and furniture, she said. She also liked doing crafts and to sew. “Her hobby was being a friend to people,” Ms. Varney said. “She was always was there if someone needed her. She was always first one there to celebrate something, too. She celebrated life.” Mrs. Ware was proud of her Irish heritage and made sure people knew about it. She grew up in Covington and became a registered nurse in 1944 after going through the nursing program at St. Elizabeth. Other survivors include her husband, James C. Ware; daughter, Kimberly Ware Henley of Cold Spring; sisters, Jean Daly of Ft. Wright, Katherine Lipps of Cincinnati and Eleanor Roche of Sacramento, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church, Cold Spring. Family will receive friends after the mass in Kelly Hall at the church. Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Ft. Thomas, is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Cold Spring. Memorials are suggested to St. Elizabeth Home Health-Hospice or to St. Joseph Church Building Fund.

Source: Kentucky Post, The (Covington, KY) – Friday, October 5, 1990