Ann Muriel Woods
Mar 31st, 2026
Ann Muriel Woods, devoted wife and mother, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She was 91.
Ann was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the eldest of three daughters of Donald and Thelma Soerheide. She was raised in Spring Lake, Michigan and graduated from Grand Haven High School. After a brief period of travel, Ann settled in Rochester, New York, where she met and married her one true love, John J. Woods.
Together, Ann and John shared a family of six children: Dion (Marie), Craig (Robyn), Carrie (Joe), Greg (Lizann), Doug (Mary) and Lori (John). In addition to their children, Ann is survived by 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Ann was predeceased by her husband, John, in August 2025, and by her sister, Ginny Lamen, earlier this year. She is survived by her sister Connie (Marty) Stohl, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. Ann loved being a mother, more than anything else. She raised her children with unconditional love, encouragement, and kindness, championing their pursuits and often making great sacrifices on their behalf.
In her early adulthood, Ann was deeply involved in education and public service. She ran for and was elected to the Greece School Board Association, where she served for many years. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping to implement the first gifted and talented program in the town’s history. It was during this time that she met John, who loved to tell the story of first seeing Ann on election night and, struck by her beauty, leaning over to a friend and whispering, “She’s a Shoo-in”.
In addition to her time on the Greece School Board, Ann enjoyed a career in real estate. She treasured time with her longtime “gourmet group”, sharing dinners with friends of more than 40 years. She and John loved traveling throughout the country and the Caribbean, and she found joy in simple pleasures like Sunday morning breakfasts and swimming with friends at the YMCA.
Ann spent her final years on Cape Cod, with John, where they enjoyed a peaceful life together.
A private family service with be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts, where Ann will be laid to rest beside her beloved John.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a small act of kindness to someone living with dementia or for their caregiver.