Deborah A. Wood

Deborah A. (Looby) Wood passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, with her beloved husband of 40 years, Stephen J. Wood, Sr. While her and Steve’s passings are both tragic and sudden, there is comfort in knowing that they returned to God together.

Born in Philadelphia, Debbie grew up on Miriam Road, in the shadow of Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church. A 1971 graduate of Little Flower High School, Debbie became the first in her family to attend college when she enrolled at La Salle College (now University), graduating in 1975 with her bachelor’s degree in education. A lifelong educator, Debbie initially taught within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, including a much-loved tenure at John W. Hallahan High School for Girls. After marrying Steve on September 1, 1983, Debbie spent a decade at home with her three children before returning to Beaver College (Now Arcadia University) to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership. From there, her life’s calling would be fulfilled as she shifted from parent at Norwood Fontbonne Academy (NFA) to its Director of Admissions in 1997. She would spend the next 18 years at NFA, serving as Principal until her retirement in 2015. While she loved the children and families of NFA, as well as the Sisters of Saint Joseph, her greatest joy was in mentoring, encouraging, and nurturing young teachers. She had a teacher’s heart and one of her greatest prides in life was that two of her children, Liz and Steve, became such wonderful and beloved teachers in their own rights. Both carry that same beautiful part of her heart.

Although her final years were marked by struggle, she received wonderful care from her devoted husband, Steve. Even in this most difficult moment, it is important to remember the best of her: Christmas Eves filled with family, laughter, and excitement; walks to Springer’s Ice Cream in Stone Harbor, NJ (Mint Chocolate Chip for Debbie, Rum Raisin for Steve); her fashion sense and love of a “classic” piece; and of course, sunscreen. Her children’s baby faces remain because she insisted on 50 SPF for all.

Debbie is survived by her loving children, Meg Kane, Elizabeth Wood McCabe (Michael McCabe), and Stephen J. Wood, Jr.  She is also survived by her sisters, Colleen Lederer (Howard) and Lorie Hueber (Gerard) as well as her brother-in-law William “Skip” Wood (Lee Mallon) and sister-in-law Patricia Sheffield (Robert). “Aunt Debbie” is also survived by her 5 nieces and nephews: Liza Wood, Emily Stoetzer (Will), Michael Lederer (Tricia), Matthew Hueber, and Grace Hueber.  She was one of 56 first cousins in the Leonard Family of Fairmount and throughout her life, she remained close to many aunts, uncles, and cousins but none more than the youngest cousin of the 56, Annemarie Renzulli Rankin. Her final months saw Debbie welcome her grandson, Francis Michael McCabe who is the joy of the family.

She is predeceased by her granddaughter Eleanor Grace McCabe, her parents William J. and Loretta (Leonard) Looby, and her brother-in-law, John Wood.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 12PM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 259 Forest Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002. Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing at Saint Anthony of Padua on Thursday, April 11 from 6-8PM and Friday, April 12 from 10AM – 11:30AM.  The family will share Words of Remembrance at 11:45AM. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Norwood Fontbonne Academy for need-based financial aid so families can afford an NFA education (8891 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 | https://www.norwoodfontbonneacademy.org/).