Mary H. Wood

A Funeral Mass for Mary H. Wood, age 102 of New York Avenue in Ogdensburg, will be held at 11:00am on June 4, 2015 at Notre Dame Church with Rev. F. James Shurtleff officiating. Interment will follow at Foxwood Memorial Park

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday (June 3rd) from 3:00-7:00pm at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home. Mrs. Wood passed away at her home on Monday (June 1, 2015).

Born on Feb 2, 1913 in Rochester NY the daughter of Peter Francis D. & Anna Clara Hohman Jordan. She graduated from De Sales Regional High School in Geneva, NY in 1931 with a Regents diploma. In 1933 she graduated from Willard State Hospital School of Nursing affiliating with Bellevue Hospital in NY City. A registered nurse, she later received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing Education from St. John’s University in 1951, and a Master’s degree from Adelphi University in 1957. She worked as a staff nurse at Willard State Hospital from Sept 1940 until Mar 1941, then at Creedmoor State Hospital from April, 1941 until July 1941. She then became head nurse at Creedmoor, a position she held from August 1941 until February 1947. She became an Instructor at Creedmoor’s School of Nursing for several months and was appointed Acting Principal at the nursing school in August 1947. She transferred to the Pilgrim State Hospital, School of Nursing in November 1951 and served as an instructor and later assistant principal. In August of that year she was appointed Principal of the School of Nursing at Harlem Valley State Hospital in Wingdale NY until May 1965. She was transferred to the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg in June of 1965 where she was Chief of Nursing Services and Training. She was Director of In-Service Training, School of Nursing and Staff Development at the hospital. She retired in 1975 after 37 ½ years of state service.

A marriage to Birger Johannus Sahle in 1943 ended in divorce. She later married William John Wood on July 28, 1964 in Clayton NY. She is survived by two step-sons; William J. Wood of Rochester and Raymond D. Wood of Utah; two step-daughters Marilyn & Tim Barkley of Clarence, NY and Victoria Figuer of Cheektowaga NY; 10 step-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews and special friends. Her sister Elizabeth Palmer and a brother Henry J. Jordan predeceased her.

She was a member of the Notre Dame Parish, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 1-5 retiring in 1994 with rank of Commander, past president of the Ogdensburg Garden Club, past treasurer of A. Barton Hepburn Hospital Auxiliary, past president of the Ogdensburg Women’s Republican Club, former president and secretary of the Salvation Army Auxiliary, former vice chairman of W. St. Lawrence Branch of the American Red Cross, former staff officer to District I, USCG Auxiliary, career coordinator of the USCG Auxiliary programs for public education materials, past member of Notre Dame Choir, certified holder for US Power and Sailing Organization and past skipper, St. Laurettes of the Ogdensburg Power Squadron earning rank in advanced piloting and an honorary member of the K of C Auxiliary.

Memorial contributions can be made to the SPCA, 6718 NY68, Ogdensburg NY 13669. Condolences can also be share also online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.