Mary Alice Wood

On August 2, 2025, Mary Alice (Lanahan) Wood, age 60, left this earth in Wichita, KS to rest in eternal peace with loved ones who have passed.
She was born on September 17, 1964, in Highland Park, IL and was lovingly adopted, along with her brother Jim, by James and Alice Lanahan. Mary had a love for her family that endured throughout her entire journey here on earth and shall withstand the test of time in the hearts of those she knew.
Mary spent her childhood in Lake Forest, IL, where she was a supportive daughter, sister, and friend. Her unyielding free spirit combined with her stubborn sense of humor made her quite the hell-raiser, which reflected the pride she had in her Irish Lanahan heritage. As her life journey continued, she made her way to Wichita, KS where she was a devoted wife of two, proud mother of two, generous grandmother of two, and loyal friend to many. Mary fully embraced living her life with a "light heart" and spent much of her time listening to many genres of music, dancing, and riding her Harley. Watching MASH and scary movies with her family and crafting were among her favorite hobbies at home. She also found joy in adorning her walls with photos of her loved ones, expressing her gratitude for the patriots in her life, and of course, spoiling her grandchildren. No matter what she was doing, it always involved her family. With the additional discovery of her two sisters, she felt the reuniting of "the Three Baker girls" and learning about their father's lineage, finalized her life story and made her complete. Mary was undoubtedly a fighter and battled a debilitating lung disease for close to four years before her passing. Though it was long and difficult road, she made the best of her remaining time wearing a smile on her face and opening her heart to others. There will never be another Mary Alice Wood. May her legacy always and forever be remembered.
Mary is preceded in death by her father; James Lanahan, mother; Alice (Twente) Lanahan, previous husband; Christopher Bibbee, and unborn daughter; Christine.
She is survived by her husband; Lenny Wood, son; James Wood, daughter; Alicia (Bibbee) Flint, son-in-law; Justin Flint, brother; James Lanahan, sister-in-law; Kathleen Lanahan, sisters; Robyn (Baker) Neitzel, and Angela (Baker) Pugh, brothers-in-law; Chop Neitzel, and Emmitt Pugh, two grandchildren; Aria and Carter Flint, nieces; Taylor Lanahan, Jordan Lanahan, Jordan Penrod, and Saylor Dickerson, nephews; Jacob Lanahan, Logan Whisenand, Hunter Dickerson, and Branson Pugh, as well as her great nieces; Everly Hartley, and AJ Whisenand.
A Celebration of Life service and burial will be held in Mary's honor at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Glen Carbon, IL. on Saturday, September 6th, 2025, at 10:30 AM. Following the burial, friends and family are welcome to gather at the VFW in Troy, IL. starting at 12:30 PM to celebrate with food, drink, and our fondest memories of her. Location details are listed below.
Sunset Hill Cemetery-50 Fountain Dr, Glen Carbon, IL 62034
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)- 123 W. Market St., Troy, IL 62294
The family asks that any flower arrangements sent in memory of Mary be delivered to the Sunset Hill Funeral Home the day prior to the ceremony. Monetary gifts in memory of Mary are also greatly appreciated by the family and can be donated here: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/in-Marys-memory-may-her-family-endure
Funds will be donated to compensate for service and hospital expenses as well as financial support for the immediate family moving forward.