A police officer stood at her door and told her Erica, her 27-year-old daughter and a mother of three girls aged 2 to 5, had been a passenger in a car involved in a crash.
And she was dead.
''It's the last thing I ever, ever, thought I would have to deal with,'' Mrs Ward told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
She had seen her daughter - for the last time - the night before the crash.
''She left here to go home and have a good night's sleep.
''I don't know why she was where she was [when she died], Mrs Ward said.''
She had received little information from police as the investigation into the crash continued and not knowing the details had made the tragedy harder to deal with.
Erica was a passenger in the car driven by Cody James Cowie (24).
Mrs Ward said she did not know who Mr Cowie was or how he figured in Erica's life.
She had no ill feeling towards anyone involved in the crash and expressed great sympathy for their families.
Mr Cowie's family had reached out, a gesture which she appreciated.
''They are going through the same thing we are,'' Mrs Ward said.
''His mum is going through the same. Even the driver [of the truck]; I feel so sorry for him.''
She was still struggling to comprehend her daughter's death.
''I'm just numb. Just totally numb.
''I still can't believe that it's happened.''
She would miss her daughter's ''infectious smile''.
''Erica was just really outgoing - happy.
She could just talk your ear off. She livened up a room.''
Mrs Ward is now faced with the prospect of raising Erica's three children - Willow (5), Autumn (3) and Rhylee (2) - and helping them understand why their mother was no longer with them.
''She lived for her kids, really.
Her kids were her everything.
''Because of their age I don't think they have really understood what's going on yet.
''They're too young yet to realise what's happening.''
She thanked the public for their support and generosity.
A Givealittle page set up for Erica's children had raised more than $2300 as of yesterday afternoon.
''I'm just overwhelmed with the generosity of people out there.
''I'm gobsmacked with what's been done.''
The money raised would provide for Erica's daughters' futures - ''that's brilliant'', she said.
Mr Cowie's family did not wish to comment.
A police spokeswoman said the serious crash unit investigation would take some time and no further update on the cause of the crash could be provided.
A service for Erica will be held at Gillions Chapel at 2pm today.
Donations can be made to Erica's children at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ericaward.
