Sr. Beth Wood, IHM, age 94, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the IHM Senior Living Community.
Sisters Beth Wood began her community life with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, in July 1946 after graduation from Immaculata High School, Detroit. A native Detroiter, she was born to William Edwards and Hilda (LaChance) Wood on Nov. 17, 1928 and baptized Elizabeth Jane at St. Brigid, Detroit. She attended Detroit schools: Don Hubert Elementary, St. Brigid, St. Louis the King and Colerain. Upon entering the religious community, she received the religious name Sister Maria Alma.
Sister Beth earned a bachelor’s degree at Marygrove College and completed additional studies in Library Science at the University of Michigan. Throughout her life, she completed many service workshops to better her outreach to the communities where she lived and ministered. After a foundational teaching experience in elementary education at St. Boniface, St. Raymond, St. Martin and St. Mary of Redford (all Detroit) and almost 10 years at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Emmett, she moved into formal librarian positions at high schools Lake Michigan, St. Mary Academy and St. Mary Catholic Central. A particular highlight was 15 years as Casa Maria librarian at North America College in Rome. Returning to Michigan in 2000, she enjoyed transition and living in Detroit before taking a position at Mardigian Library at the University of Michigan, Dearborn campus. After 10 years, she moved on to enjoy volunteer ministries and trained for many senior-level marathons. Sister Beth never met a stranger, and gathered friends in all her pursuits, from Michigan to Rome and back again.
Retired to the IHM Motherhouse, Sister Beth continued her physical activities (often cajoling others to join her), renewed friendships with the community and staff at IHM Senior Living Community, volunteer work and spiritual development.
Beloved sister of Glynn, William and John, and survived by brother Partick Wood. Beloved aunt of nieces and nephews.
Services for Sister will be held Friday, Oct. 27, at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe. Welcoming of the body and visitation begins at 9 a.m. with Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Livestreaming begins at 10 a.m. and may be viewed until Nov. 17, 2023, 2023. Green Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Arrangements by Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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