NIMA DIANE WARD May 4, 1934 – March 2, 2026

Nima Diane Ward, beloved mother, teacher and legislative advocate, died March 2, 2026, at the age of 91. She passed peacefully at St Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe surrounded by family. Nima was born May 4, 1934, in Los Angeles, CA to David and Mable Roland.

She graduated from Augustana College in Moline Illinois with a BA in education 1955. Nima met John Ward at Augustana, and the couple soon married and moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1957 where Nima began teaching second grade at Aspen Elementary and would go on to raise her family of four boys. In 1984 Nima began a 16-year career as the founding director of the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry, later to become the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry. This organization’s mission was and is to advocate in the legislature for those without a voice on policies to alleviate poverty, hunger and injustice. Her passion and dedication to this mission touched many lives and left a powerful and continuing legacy.

Nima was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was devoted to family and friends and to her advocacy for those in need.

Nima is survived by her brother Dennis Copeland, his wife Betty and their children and grandchildren, Nima’s sons: William Ward and wife Veronica Saunero-Ward of Santa Fe; David Ward and wife Alison of Little Compton, RI; Daniel Ward and wife Heidi Swedberg of Santa Fe, NM; Michael Ward and wife Paula of Loveland, CO. Her treasured grandchildren and great- grandchild: Nicholas and wife Hsiao Lu, Kirsten and husband Greg, Carl and wife Trinh and their son Mateo, Martin and wife Shannon, Ellis, Aidan, Alana, Oona, Lyra, Arielle and Nathan.

A Celebration of Nima’s Life will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 7 at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2390 N. Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your favorite charity that supports better lives for those whom Nima devoted her career advocacy.