Rachel Wood

NORTH JACKSON - Prayers will be held Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, North Jackson Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, St. James Church for Rachel A. Wood, 79, who was tragically killed Friday evening in a car accident.

Rachel was born Feb. 24, 1939, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late John J. and Mary D. (Ferraro) DeMarco.

Rachel graduated from Girard High School and Cosmetology School. She was a devout member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, St. James Church, where she was a member of their Altar and Rosary Society and was a lecture and altar server. She also formed a breakfast church club with members of the church.

When her children were younger she was very active as a band mom and with scouts. Rachel was an advocate of mental health and was on the board of D&E and was an original member of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. She was also a member of TOPS. She enjoyed reading, sewing, and puzzles. Her greatest love was for her family and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Her husband, the former Leroy "Roy" C. Wood, whom she married Nov. 19, 1960, passed away April 15, 2012.

Rachel leaves three daughters, Doreen (Bill) Ludwig of McDonald, Mary (Scott) Riffee of Mineral Ridge and Evelyn (Lenny) Brady of Lake Milton; two sons, Michael (Holly) Wood of Delaware and Greg (Lisa) Wood of Austintown; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley (Ron) Stanford of Masury and Carolyn Swift of Tampa.

Rachel was also preceded in death by a brother, John DeMarco.

Family and friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, St. James Church, 50 Rosemont Road, North Jackson, OH 44451.