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Maureen Mary Wood (née Newcombe)

On Wednesday 10^th February 2021, after a 20 year fight against Parkinson’s disease, Maureen Wood finally succumbed while residing at Mary Health of the Sick nursing home in Newbury Park, California.

Maureen was born in Beeston, Nottingham, England in 1944. In 1965 she married Leslie Wood also of Beeston. In 1966 his career led them to the USA. In 1973 they moved to Andover, Massachusetts where they lived for 30 years and raised their two daughters, Helen and Susan. In 2004 they moved to North Andover and, in 2014, to Southern California to be near their younger daughter Helen.

Maureen’s greatest pleasure in life was taking care of others. While family always came first, she touched many people’s lives over the years and was lovingly known by many as “Mum”. 

She was a very active volunteer to the Andover School system. In 1978 she founded Sanborn School’s annual Harvest Festival where, every Thanksgiving, through the distribution of hundreds of care packages to senior citizens in Andover, students get to learn the true value of giving back. She received an award from the town and is still remembered annually at the festival.

She also had a love for musical theater and teaching. She was an elocution coach for the Andover High School and Merrimack Valley theaters where she taught students to adopt British accents for their roles in various productions including Oliver and My Fair Lady.

She was active with the Andover Senior Center and served as Chairperson of the Council on Aging. This also allowed her to demonstrate the love and energy she had for her community. Maureen was instrumental in creating a program to provide transportation for seniors so they were able to maintain their independence.

Maureen is survived, remembered and loved by her husband Leslie, daughters Susan and Helen and grandchildren Alistair, Logan, Savannah and Delaney. She is also remembered by and lives in the hearts of all those she touched during her time with us.

For more than 50 years Mary Health of the Sick has provided high-quality skilled nursing care to over 4,000 residents. Mary Health’s sacred mission to deliver the highest level of long-term care to deserving elderly in our community endures to this day.

Mary Health has been very blessed by the generosity and love of our many friends and benefactors. There are many ways you can help the Servants of Mary take care of the sick and the elderly.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

• In Memorial and Honor Gifts

Often gifts are given to perpetuate the memory or to honor a beloved one. When you give a charitable gift as a memorial or tribute, Mary Health will send a card to the person or family you designate notifying them of your caring contribution. The amount you give is always confidential.

Mary Health of the Sick Garland of Prayers Annual Tradition is a beautiful opportunity to honor the people you love the most while supporting Mary Health. When enrolling your loved ones in our annual Christmas Garland of Prayers program, you select a gift giving level and with your donation you have many beautiful items to choose from. Your ornaments, garland or wreaths will decorate the hall of Mary Health. Prayers will be said by the Servants of Mary every night during the Advent and Christmas season for all of your honorees. Please watch for our Garland of Prayers mailing in November

• Cash Gifts

Gifts of cash may be made directly to Mary Health of the Sick through our Online Donations, via the mail or in person.

• Life Insurance

To receive a deduction for donating a life insurance policy that you may no longer need, it is necessary to designate Mary Health of the Sick as both the owner and the beneficiary of the policy. Mary Health of the Sick can also be named as a beneficiary of a company pension, an IRA, Keogh, or tax-sheltered annuity.

• Matching Gifts

Many companies match, double, or even triple gifts made to non-profit corporations. If your employer has a matching gifts program, you can maximize the value of your contribution by following the company’s process for identifying Mary Health of the Sick a 501(c) (3), California non-profit, as your recipient.

• Bequests

Estate taxes may be reduced by identifying Mary Health of the Sick in your will or trust.

• Stock

Gift of stock or real estate, which will directly support Mary Health, may result in significant tax benefits for donors.