Mary Mahoney Wood

Harvard - Mary Mahoney Wood, known affectionately as Doatsie, died peacefully on June 28, 2024, at her home, The Club at Briarcliff Manor in New York, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 77 years old and had her daughter by her side. Mary is predeceased by her husband and true love, Paul Wood; her son, Michael Wood; her sisters, Kathleen Mahoney Lockhart and Margaret Mahoney Burke; and her parents, Arlene and Joseph Mahoney. She is survived by her son, David Wood; her daughter, Jessica Wood; her grandchildren, Michael Jr., Zach, Kristina, Alex, Dylan, and Asia; and her great-grandchildren, Cece, Beau, and Addie. She is also survived by her youngest sister, Ellen Mahoney Nagle, and dozens of her adoring cousins and friends.

It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Mary, an extraordinary woman whose life was dedicated to education, equality, and love. Born into a family of educators, she followed the Mahoney family tradition, pursuing a career in secondary education. She held a BS degree from Worcester State College and two master's degrees from Assumption College and Sarah Lawrence College. Her career began in Worcester, Massachusetts. She later moved to New York and joined the faculty at the master's School in Dobbs Ferry, where she served as a history teacher and devoted dormitory parent for nearly four decades. During her time there, Mary created multiple curricula in African American, Latino, and Native American studies. She was known to pull all-nighters writing heartfelt college recommendation letters for her students, whom she went above and beyond for.

Growing up during the Civil Rights Movement, Mary became an ardent advocate for the abolishment of segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement in America. Committed to these causes, she was in Washington, DC to celebrate the signing of the Civil Rights Act by President Johnson. Her passions then led to fighting for women's equality and the Equal Rights Amendment. She fasted with Gloria Steinem for the ratifying of the Equal Rights Amendment. Mary held the distinct honor of representing the United States of America at the 1985 World Conference of the Advancement of Women held in Nairobi, Africa. Her passion for equality and justice for all was a lifelong commitment. Mary fearlessly stood up for the causes she held dear and was arrested several times in protests for various human rights and equality causes.

Following her retirement, Mary found solace and joy in returning to her beloved family cottage on Bear Hill Pond. This cottage has been in her family for 98 years and is now being enjoyed by the fifth generation. She loved music, books, and writing. She was a true water baby when it came to swimming, with one of her favorite pastimes being floating and gazing up at the sky. She enjoyed kayaking with her beloved Paul. Mary spent each summer of her life on the pond, where neighbors became family, building her deepest bond with her lifelong friends, Linda Tatten and Jane McNamara. Mary and Paul were each other's soulmates; it was obvious to all who knew them how deeply they loved each other. They frequently hosted family and friends at their lakeside cottage and instilled in their children and grandchildren the importance of family, hard work, love, and loyalty. Mary will be remembered, loved, and honored for the rest of her family's life.