Maretta Denise Ward

Maretta was born on May 15, 1969, to William Edward Ward and Bertha Orr Ward in Detroit Michigan. In 1976, she moved with her mother to Tacoma, Washington. In her early years, she participated in many activities  to include Girl Scouts, cheerleading, baby-sitting, track and the neighborhood newspaper delivery girl. She accepted Christ at an early age.  She graduated from Oakmont High School . From childhood to adulthood she loved a party especially birthday parties. Her birthday was the occasion to celebrate and she would throw herself a party and expect her friends to be there. She graduated from UC Berkeley, and in 1994, she earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law and later received a Master of Fine Arts, Writing, from the University of San Francisco. Maretta was a sports enthusiast and continuously supported and cheered on the UC Berkley Track team, Oakland Raiders, and the Golden State Warriors. Upon graduation from law school in 1994, Maretta worked for two years in private practice and then began her career with the California Department of Justice, in the Licensing Section, San Francisco office. She served as a Deputy Attorney General (DAG) from 1998 until 2024.  In 2010, Maretta became the proud mother of 2-year-old, Devyn Jillian Ward. She was very involved in Devyn' s education and social development. She further distinguished herself by her involvement in the "People to People" Ambassador Programs, and in 2005 at the end of apartheid served as a United States representative with the Litigation Delegation to South Africa. She was a California State Bar Licensing Grader and served as a coach and mentor to many young law school graduates seeking to pass the  bar. In 2016, Maretta was admitted to practice as an attorney at the highest level "before the Supreme Court of the United States of America" Maretta was preceded in death by her father, William E. Ward and succeeded in death by her step-father, Gerald R. Jenkins Maretta will be remembered for her love of life, dedication to excellence, tenacity, her passion for education, enthusiasm for sports, commitment to community service, and loyalty to family and friends. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Devyn Ward, her mother, Bertha Jenkins, her sister, Megan Kalambo (Chilobe), Aunts, Janice Ward Crawford, Alice Ward Johnson, Tabitha Ward, Roxie Douglas, Margaret Seals Schwartz, Dona Jenkins, Judy F. Jenkins, and Debra De Bose; Uncles, Floyd Orr (Margaret), Richard Jenkins (Judy), Phillip Jenkins (Laura), Nephews, Caleb and Levi Kalambo and Nieces Eliana and Naomi Kalambo; and a host of cousins, friends associates and acquaintances.