Maureen Wood

Maureen Elizabeth Wood, 69, a longtime resident of Altoona, passed away July 25, 2017 at the UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh from complications due to heart failure.  Maureen was born November 21, 1947 in Havre de Grace, Maryland to Joseph A. and Irene E. (Kelly) Wood.  She spent her early years in the Baltimore area, before moving to Altoona in 1953 where she resided for the remainder of her life.  A 1965 Altoona Area H.S. graduate, she attended Cathedral grade school and Keith Junior High. She then completed her accounting degree at Penn State almost 25 years after high school.  Maureen was a lifelong learner, consistently working to learn something new, challenging herself, gaining practical knowledge or skills which she could apply in her life.  Piano, line dancing, woodworking, yoga, dog training, computer applications and bookkeeping were just some of her pursuits.  Fiercely independent and a tireless worker, Maureen toiled for, fought for and earned most everything she achieved or obtained in life.  Soon after high school, she began employment at Ward Trucking, then moved to F.L. Smithe, where she worked for 40 years in the accounting group before retiring in 2008 as the Accounting Supervisor.  Subsequently, she was employed for several years with the Altoona Parochial School District and most recently with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul providing bookkeeping services.  She was well-read, enjoying a wide range of genres, and able to hold her own in discussions on most subjects.  An avid crossword puzzle worker, she also enjoyed movies and TV, and was a fanatic when it came to all things associated with Gone With The Wind.  Throughout her life, her dogs and her cat Cleo gave her much joy.  Maureen was intensely proud of her family, her Irish heritage, Altoona and her church.  She was a lifetime member of The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and served for many years as an usher at Sunday Mass.  Above all, however, she was a loving, caring, protective and devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend.  She especially adored her grandchildren, Madison and Tyler, and followed their success and growth closely.  Wherever she went and whatever she did, she was able to develop long-lasting friendships from all walks of life.  She will be sorely missed by all who knew her and had her in their lives.  Maureen is survived by her son Michael M. (Karla) and grandchildren Madison and Tyler of Felton, PA; brothers Joel A. (Sandra) of Santa Maria, CA; Kelly V. (Joanne) of Elkton, MD; and Matthew M. (Joni) of Boise, ID; and her nieces/nephews Jeanne, Ben, Adrienne, Brian, Russ, and Allyssa; and great nieces/nephews Drew, Kelsey, Elizabeth, Connor and C.J.  Friends will be received Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 4pm until 7pm at Jones Funeral Home, Altoona, PA, where a Vigil for the Deceased will be held during the visitation.  A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am Friday, August 4, 2017 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, with Msgr. Robert C. Mazur celebrating.  Committal Rites will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.  In lieu of flowers, it would be Maureen’s wish that a donation be made to the Cathedral or to Saint Vincent de Paul-Altoona.