Obituary of Mary Frances Wood

    Mary Frances Bethel Wood was born June 24, 1925 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and died  April 2, 2021 at Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg, Virginia. Over her 95 years on this earth, she fulfilled the many roles that God assigned her, but the one that she cherished most was being a wife to her husband of 63 years,  Giles Edward (Buddy) Wood who predeceased her.

    Mary Frances is survived by her daughter, Catherine Diederich, two sisters-in-law Virginia Hirschi (Stanley) and Christine Timmons  (Gene Black) and two nephews, Nicholas Hirschi (Emily) and Alexander Hirschi.  She is also survived by cousins Patricia Ryan Madson, Michael Ryan, Kathleen Ryan, and Melvyn Trenor,   along with numerous beloved friends.

    Mary Frances grew up in Richmond and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. She completed her baccalaureate and some graduate work at the University of Richmond (Westhampton College) before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She married her husband Buddy on September 6, 1947 and started married life with them both continuing their studies at Carolina.  After college, they moved to Hampton, Norfolk, Richmond and Lynchburg through Buddy’s work.  Everywhere she moved, Mary Frances was active in her church and other social clubs related to her interests. Raised as a Baptist, she joined the Episcopal Church after marriage and most lately attended The Kirk in Forest. She was a member of the Ginter Park Woman’s Club in Richmond, the Woman’s Club of Lynchburg in Lynchburg and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

    A wonderful seamstress, Mary Frances created clothes and hats for both herself and her daughter. This skill led her to working as a volunteer in costuming and makeup at The Virginia Museum Theatre in Richmond. She also made beautiful quilts and was active in several quilt clubs over the years, most lately Patches ‘n Pieces Quilt Club in Lynchburg.

    When her daughter wanted to become a member of the Children of the American Revolution, Mary Frances began researching genealogy which became her passion for the rest of her life. She worked part-time as a certified genealogist and she spent countless hours researching her own and her husband’s families. She was always excited when she “found” another unknown to her relative.

    A memorial service for Mary Frances will be held on Saturday April 24, 2021 at 11 AM in the Duiguid Funeral Service, Wigginton Road Chapel. Her cremains along with those of her husband will be interred at a later date at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, P.O. Box 419, Forest, Virginia 24551.

Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory, Wiggington Road Chapel, 385-8900, is serving the family. On-line condolences may sent to www.diuguidfuneralservice.com.

Update: This memorial service will be livestream broadcasted at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/29330181