Tiki Amber Meaker Ward, 46, of Barre Vermont died peacefully in her home on August 30th 2022 her intense and beautiful life cut short by a rare cancer she fought for almost a decade. Holding the hands of her brother Walter Ward and her of great love,Terry Wendelken, her spirit passed into a sunny, blue sky Tuesday afternoon. Also at her side her best friend of 40 years April McCandless, and dear friends Candice Greaves and Heather Milne Ritchie, the "Tiki-Team", who kept close vigil over her for her last days, helping her be where she needed to be, in her home. Surrounded all around with the colors of her large flower paintings, her lush and verdant plants, the jewel-like fish swimming nearby in their bubbling aquariums, her photos of family, river stones and crystals, vintage books. Every corner of her world bohemian, whimsical and cozy. This was her stronghold and her greatest medicine. She created this magic for herself and her beloved son and daughter, Kelman and Evie whom she poured every ounce of her love into. She created this magic because that was her way, she was magic, pure and simple.

A Barre native, born February 23, 1976 to Walter Ward Sr. And Kristin (Ward) Haskins. She was always fiercely independent, a rough and tumble Pippi Longstocking meets Alice in Wonderland.She graduated from Spaulding High in 1994. She worked in the service industry, thrift retail, as a residential counselor and mentor for local mental health agencies and a nanny in California, In recent years she focused great time and attention her budding talent as an aquarist, and was most proud being an artist. Her shows were few but intensely beautiful and very personal victories. She defied her illness with her paintings of bright glowing flowers ,stars, astral schools of fish all floating in vivid neon swirls of light. Full of wanderlust, she would gather all her energy to take her kiddos on vacations, making sure to give them many memories to draw from.Holidays and birthdays meant piles of thoughtfully wrapped gifts in vintage paper and ribbons. She liked to give things that helped you be cozy. A step ahead, She would get you things you didn't knew you needed but now can't live without. That was her way. Her voice sweet and musical, her green listening eyes would draw you in and had the sweetest smile. A woman all sparkle and effortless "cool". Tiki knew how precious life was and made sure to tuck in every ounce of beauty,love and color into it. She was a kindred spirit to so many. An amazing Mother,devoted friend, companion, and a fighter, Our Tiki was one of a kind, so humble and powerful . She lived twice as bright, she loved fully. She painted stars and flowers into the hearts of all she knew and will live there always.

She is survived by her children Evie and Kelman Pirie, her soulmate Terry Wendelken Her parents Walter Ward Sr. and Kristin Haskins. Brothers Walt Ward and Del Haskins. Aunt and Uncle Diane and Alan Williams. Cousins Abbey Meaker, Cristy Jo Ward, Sonya Ward Tobin among many others. Her children's father James Pirie and their Topsham grandparents Sue and Ed Pirie. Stepmother, Becky Ward, her stepbrothers, Aaron, Ryan and Travis. predeceased by her heroes ,Grampa Sheldon Meaker and Grammy Bonnie Meaker and Uncle Kip. and special nod to all her fish, her plants, garden fairies and her Siamese cat, Kittn'.

A celebration of life will be held at Hugo's Bar and Grill in Montpelier, Vt. At 118 Main St. on Saturday, October 15, from 12:30 to 3 P.M. Donations for her forever memorial at the Green Mount Cemetery can be made to Heather Milne Ritchie 2780 Country Club Road, Barre Vermont 05641.