Margaret McCarthy Wood Ransone

Margaret Adair McCarthy Wood Ransone peacefully passed away in the embrace of her loving family on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Margaret was 97 ½ years young. She was born in New Orleans on December 9, 1927, to John McCarthy and Veronica Hennessey McCarthy. As she always told her family, she was born into a loving family and forever surrounded by love. She was predeceased by her siblings: Jack, Dennis, Gail, Ann Louise, Catherine and Justin.

Margaret married her brother’s best friend, the late David J. Wood, who was the love of her life. Their friendship grew out of many letters back and forth between them - Margaret a student at Loyola University and David a Navy Air Navigator in the Pacific during WWII. David was later awarded the Navy’s highest honor, The Distinguished Flying Cross. They married once the war ended and went on to have a lively, bustling, happy family of six children- each one an individual: the late David, Jr.; the late Carolyn Wood Kinabrew (John); Stephanie Wood Jumonville (Robert); the late Greg (Kathy); Rob (Tonette); and Mary Beth Wood Wooten (Bob). Margaret was the consummate great mother- she loved her children enormously and enjoyed all of their escapades. She especially loved the fact that her children loved each other and were kind to each other. Margaret and David marveled at the magnificence of their lives. Both from humble beginnings, they rose to attain degrees from Tulane University and enjoyed professional success. They both worked hard as educators, and David had a second job with Delta Airlines in order to support his large family. They loved watching their six children grow up and pursue their own interests and dreams. Margaret lost David to cancer when she was 58, after 35 years of marriage. Most of her children were married, and some beginning their own families. After mourning the loss of David, Margaret claimed God blessed her with another good man- she met and married the late John E.B. Ransone who had lost his loving wife to cancer. They had 20 good years together. “Poppie” became the grandfather to Margaret’s grandchildren- to the ones already born and to those who followed: David (predeceased), John, Christopher, Suzi, Robert, Cooper, Richard, Jenny, Conor, Ashley, Stephen, Robert and Amanda. Margaret became “Nonnie” and reveled in her grandchildren’s lives and accomplishments. Thereafter, her joy continued when her great grandchildren were born - 24 in all: Maggie, Jonas, Kira, Lulu, Josephine, David, Robert, Juliette, Brennan, Caroline, Benny, Duke, Charly, Robbie, Richard, Hudson, Peyton, Isabelle, Matty, Connor, Marie, Emilia, Charles and Jacques.

Margaret’ s long life was a successful one. First, as a loving mother, then a magnificent teacher, and finally, as a consequential volunteer, changing the world for good.

Margaret loved being ‘Irish’. She was a member of the Irish Cultural Society, and she and her husband hosted receptions for writers, singers and diplomats from Ireland. One of the members in the group suggested they give tribute to the thousands of Irish immigrants who lost their lives digging the New Basin Canal. Margaret agreed and started the ball rolling – she was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. Today, you can enjoy the park with the large Celtic Cross, now named Hibernian Memorial Park located on West End Blvd in New Orleans.

Her volunteer interests branch out from there. She became a member of Woman for a Better Louisiana (WBL). As chairman of the Child Advocacy Committee of WBL, Margaret and fellow member, Nancy Simoneaux, wanted better protection for children, including having anyone who worked with children to be fingerprinted and background checks performed. So, these two forces of nature traveled to and from Baton Rouge to the State Capitol to meet with many legislators for them to enact and pass fingerprint legislation. This was successfully accomplished, and the ladies were pleased. Until … they discovered the legislature failed to fund the law. Back to Baton Rouge and the State Capitol they went, once again meeting with legislators. Finally, funding was provided for the new fingerprint law. Children were safer.

Margaret was also a Criminal Court Watch Volunteer. She and other WBL members followed cases involving children, particularly child abuse cases. They wanted to ensure the system was working for and protecting children. Again, children were safer. Always the warrior for children.

Thereafter, Margaret was invited to be a member of the Metropolitan Crime Commission. She served admirably for many years and was never afraid to offer common sense, insightful comments and suggestions. She worked closely with Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, who she respected and admired deeply.

Next, Margaret was appointed to the American Judicature Society (AJS) board in Washington, DC. Again, she represented Louisiana admirably offering smart, honest input. She chuckled, recalling her first AJS Board meeting. Board members were asked to give short bios of themselves as introductions. Most of the board members were Ivy League grads, very successful businessmen and jurists. They had numerous degrees and shared them. When it was Margaret’s turn, she spoke of her children, her degrees from Tulane University, but then she added all of her children’s degrees (including medicine and law), which she claimed as hers too, since she encouraged and supported her children in their many academic pursuits. The AJS board members smiled, clapped and fell in love with this no nonsense force, a grandmother, from Louisiana.

In recognition for her amazing volunteer work, she was honored with a number of awards, including the Angel Award, as well as the St. Elizabeth’s Guild Volunteer Activist Award.

If you can believe it, Margaret also had time for hobbies: gardening and sewing. And so it was, when she slowed down her volunteer work, she sewed for family and friends- mostly sewing aprons. Everyone loved receiving an apron from Nonnie.

Sewing kept Margaret busy up until about a week before passing. She remained independent and engaged in her condo throughout this time. Her wonderful housekeeper, Flor, helped her remain in her condo, and Margaret always appreciated her help and kindness. Then, after a mild stroke in December 2024, Margaret reluctantly accepted a little more help from two compassionate caregivers who helped her each morning – namely, Erica and Debra. She fell in love with both of them and appreciated their help. Margaret’s family especially thanks these three wonderful women, as they made it possible for their mother to remain independent. Margaret’s many friends at her condo complex also provided her friendship, love and support. She enjoyed sitting out with them and having a glass of wine as often as she could. Margaret’s family thanks these neighbors for their ongoing love and support of their mother.

In closing, the resounding theme in Margaret’s life was LOVE. She received much love, so she had much love to share. Always. Even at the end of her beautiful life, about one week before she passed, she underwent emergency surgery, and the surgeon discovered an aggressive cancer in her peritoneal cavity. When told, Margaret calmly and lovingly accepted the news. She gently and kindly helped her children through their shock and grief. She explained that she was ready to go, to embrace her husband, David, her three predeceased children, her parents, etc. Her serenity, courage and acceptance was contagious. She was graceful and grace-filled. Always the mother loving her children. A real class act.

In lieu of flowers, friends are welcomed to send donations in Margaret’s memory to: Hibernian Memorial Park c/o 209 Spencer Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana 70124; Women for a Better Louisiana c/o 20 Fontainebleau Dr. New Orleans, LA 70125; Metropolitan Crime Commission c/o 1615 Poydras St. Ste. 1060, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112 or go to www.metrocrime.org.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend services for Margaret on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until the Mass begins at 2:00pm. Reception will follow.