Kathleen M Woods

She was born on December 23, 1943 in Chicago, a daughter of Joseph P. Woods and Gertrude C. Carey. Known as Kathy or Kate, she was the dear sister of Jerome P. Woods, of Evanston, Illinois; the late James C. Woods; Mary Joann Reedy (David), of Williamsburg, Virginia; and Robert M. Woods (Amy), of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She was the much loved Aunt Kate of Emily Woods Sternberg, Kathleen Woods Balthrop, James C. Reedy, Patrick J. Woods, Molly Reedy Kling, Robert A. Woods and Anastasia Woods Young, as well as a most special GrAunt Kate to fifteen great-nieces and nephews.

Kate received a Bachelor of Science from Siena Heights College, and a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Wayne State University. Science and psychology framed her career and formed her passions for improving health care, enhancing individual growth, and supporting community development and responsibility.

After working with students as an elementary and secondary science teacher early in her career, Kate was inspired to pursue a degree in clinical social work. She supported oncology patients and provided staff training and education as a social worker at the University of Chicago Medical School, before joining Illinois Masonic Hospital in 1981.

At Illinois Masonic, Kate had several roles. She was Director of the Home Health and Hospice Program, establishing one of the nation’s first inpatient hospice units, before becoming Director of Education for the Hospital. Throughout, hospice remained the core of Kate’s commitment; she continued to work in paid and volunteer positions at hospice organizations, including JourneyCare, well into her retirement years. In her spare time, she provided support to individuals and families in her psychotherapy practice.

Fifteen years ago, Kate traveled to St. Clare’s Orphanage in Kenya, a trip sponsored by the Friends of Kenyan Orphans, which introduced her to a young girl, Odelia Wowu, who became her “adopted daughter.” Kate continued to support the organization’s charitable mission to educate young women of Kenya for the rest of her life.

Recently, Kate channeled her lifelong interests into working with the Adrian Dominican Sisters to advance wider social goals of corporate responsibility and justice. She was an integral force in future planning through the Dominican Life Collaborative initiative.

Kate was deeply loved and valued by siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins, and her extended family. She was a good and loyal friend who devoted her life to improving the lives of individuals and communities.

From childhood, she was smart and funny — which sometimes got her into trouble! In the tradition of Irish storytellers, she spun a saga for two generations of spellbound nieces and nephews, and created new chapters — a child’s version of “Dynasty” meets “The Hobbit” — at family gatherings over many years.

She loved to travel and especially enjoyed time over the years at a series of vacation cottages in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, which she freely shared with loved ones.

And of course, she was a lifelong, spirited, and very boisterous fan of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Donations in Kate’s memory may be made to the Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221 for the benefit of the Dominican Life Collaborative/Kathleen M. Woods Fund and to Friends of Kenyan Orphans, 18640 Mack Ave. Suite #1294, Grosse Pointe, MI 48236.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later time.