Obituary of Mary S. Wood

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Mary Schofield Wood, 80, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all whose lives she touched. Longtime resident of Plymouth Meeting, PA, Mary passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 12, in Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born in Philadelphia on January 4, 1940, to the late Russell and Edith (Shindel) Schofield. A spirited, energetic teenager, Mary attended Roxborough High School and participated in a variety of activities and sports, including chorus, volleyball, tennis and field hockey. She graduated from high school in 1957 and inspired by the written word, she went on to attend Gettysburg College to study English. Always in search of new opportunities and the chance to help others, Mary became a member of the Phi Mu sorority and was honored to serve as their treasurer her senior year of college. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women and upon graduation in 1961, she was inducted into the Alumni Association of Gettysburg College. Her years at college were life changing because it was there that she met and fell in love with her husband, Ronald E. Wood, enjoying 56 years of marriage and blessings before her passing.

Throughout her life, Mary had the opportunity to work for numerous companies, including The Curtis Publishing Company, J.P. Lippincott and Company, Freedom Valley Federal Savings and Loan Association, Vapor Corporation and Dictor Capital. She was passionate about gardening and thoroughly enjoyed her membership with and participation in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Mary was actively involved in many local volunteer organizations, including the Whitemarsh Women’s Club, the Whitemarsh Lions Club and the Plymouth Meeting Historical Society. An animal lover from a very young age, she was a member of Collie Rescue of Southeastern PA, leading to the inevitable adoption of numerous family pets. Mary enjoyed her involvement in many neighborhood activities in Whitemarsh Township and found herself blessed to be a vital part of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church community.

Later in life, as a dedicated daughter and mother, Mary took a very active role in caring for her mother and her grandchildren. She was an avid reader, a music enthusiast and enjoyed many traveling adventures with her husband. Mary was immensely proud of her family. She leaves behind many beautiful memories of a life of dedication and love for her family and friends. Mary enriched the lives of all those who were lucky enough to have known her.

Mary was the beloved wife of Ronald Wood; the devoted mother of Stephanie Melillo (Jack) and Lauren DeVitis (Robert); the loving grandmother of Sydney Melillo, Nicholas DeVitis, Caroline Melillo, Brian DeVitis and Jameson Melillo; the caring sister of Margaret (Molly) Frishmuth (Ronald); and the affectionate aunt and godmother of Russell Frishmuth (Dena) and Pamela Boutte (Matthew).

A private funeral service was held for immediate family at Lownes Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 15, in the afternoon with Reverend Jonathan Suloff officiating. A celebration of life service for family and friends will be planned in the near future at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Lafayette Hill, PA.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 3025 Church Road, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all caregivers at Sunrise of Lafayette Hill who loved Mary for many years during her health struggle as well as the courageous doctors, nurses and staff at Chestnut Hill Hospital who cared for and comforted Mary during her final days.