Kathleen Marie Wood

Kathleen Marie “Kathy” Wood, of Lansing, MI and North Port, FL, age 79, passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2023. She lived her life on her terms, and was fiercely independent until the very end. Friends describe Kathy as gentle, kind, creative, thoughtful, and supportive.

Born on November 29, 1943, to the late Robert G. and Martha A. Wood, she grew up in Lansing, attending St. Mary Cathedral High School and Michigan State University. Married for almost 15 years to Steve Purdy, she had two children, Stephanie Kate and Philip Clark who survive her. Following a career of 30 years in personnel and labor relations for the State of Michigan, she took an early retirement and worked at two other businesses before taking a final retirement. She subsequently reconnected with a high school friend, Dick Taylor, and shared a life with him for many years as a friend and loving companion. Their time together included travel to many places – including Machu Picchu in Peru, which had been a lifelong dream to visit – playing card games with friends, dining out, and getting together with family. Kathy enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations.

Kathy was a gifted and creative artist who throughout her life created many meaningful items for friends and family, most notably quilts and other sewn items, jewelry, and many stained-glass mirrors and panels. They will be treasured by their recipients.

Kathy is survived by her companion, Dick Taylor; daughter, Stephanie Ito (Mike) and grandsons Max, Cal and Will of Lombard, IL; and by son, Philip Purdy (Jennelyn) and granddaughters Ysabelle and Avery of Olivet, MI. Kathy delighted in her grandchildren and was so proud of them. She is also survived by three of the world’s best siblings, Irene Nugent of Frankfort, Cynthia (Jim) McKouen of Howell, and Bob Wood (Ruthi Bloomfield) of Traverse City. Her relationships with her siblings were some of the most important in her life – she treasured them and their families as well. Many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.