Mary Louise Raymond

Mary Louise Woods Raymond, a.k.a. “Colonel,” of Newtown Square, PA, passed away on August 5, 2025, at age 97, surrounded by all her children and grandchildren. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 29, 1927, to parents, Lawrence C. Woods, Jr. and Leonora Bulley Woods, Colonel grew up in the nearby town of Sewickley.

As a child, she adored the popular comedy radio show Stoopnagle and Budd. She listened faithfully, never missing an episode. Her favorite character was Colonel Stoopnagle, whose witty lines she quoted so often that friends and family began calling her “Colonel,” the nickname she had for the rest of her life.

She attended St. Margaret’s School in Connecticut for high school, during the early years of World War II where she enjoyed playing field hockey and starring in theater productions. She befriended several European students who were sent to St. Margaret’s to escape the war, establishing life-long friendships.

After graduating from St. Margaret's, Colonel attended Wells College in Aurora, NY, where she majored in Sociology and French. Following graduation in 1949, she spent a year in Grenoble, France, studying at the university. She was soon speaking French almost as well as the natives. Her love for travel blossomed during that year in France, where she was determined to soak up every bit of the culture. She and her roommate explored the French countryside by bicycle, where the devastation of the war was great and the friendliness of the French warm. That spirit of adventure, along with her deep belief in the power of education, became a legacy she passed on to her children. She encouraged them not only to pursue higher education, but also to see the world, knowing that travel itself is one of life’s greatest teachers.

In 1954, Colonel married the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Raymond, whom she had met on a blind date while at Wells College. A naval aviator in WW2, Dick even landed a plane on the Wells College campus golf course, in order to court Colonel. Dick and Colonel were blessed with 57 years of marriage before Dick’s passing in 2011.

During her marriage, she raised four children while periodically balancing careers as both a teacher and an administrative assistant. In the 1960s, she taught at the Agnes Irwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA, and many years later

worked as an administrative assistant at an insurance company. After retiring, she poured her time and energy into volunteer work she truly loved. At a local elementary school, she delighted in reading to children, sharing stories with enthusiasm and warmth. In 2002, she and Dick moved to the White Horse Village continuing care community, in Newtown Square, PA. There, Colonel volunteered time in the library and thrift shop, where she found joy in helping others and connecting with her community.

She knew how important it was to have a loving and devoted family, and she made sure her four children understood the importance of caring for one another.

Colonel is survived by her four children: A. Rebecca Raymond (Mike Stangl) of Averill Park, NY; Peter D. Raymond (Marjeta Novak) of Reston, VA; Whitridge W. Raymond of Napa, CA; and Mary C. Raymond of Prospect Park, PA, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, and her sister, Corolyn Woods Soleri.

A service in celebration of Mrs. Raymond’s life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Paoli Presbyterian Church, Paoli, PA. A reception in the church rooms will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Mary Louise Raymond, to the American Cancer Society.