Kathleen A. Wood

Kathleen Annette Bickett was born on Friday, December 27, 1946, in Buffalo, NY, to Lewis Bickett (deceased) and Charlotte Bickett (deceased). She was raised in Buffalo, NY, and later moved with her parents to Washington, D.C, where she attended D.C. Public Schools and graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in 1964. She attended Howard University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English in 1969. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Kathy then attended Rutgers University for graduate studies and received a Master’s Degree in Library Science in 1971. In 1969, she began her career at the Library of Congress. A year later, she took a position with the D.C. Public Library as a Librarian, where she was later assigned to the Woodridge Library in Washington, D.C. In 1979, Kathy was nominated to serve on the Advisory Committee of District of Columbia Citizens for Better Public Education, Inc. In 1980, Kathy began working at the Martin Luther King (MLK) Memorial Library as the Head Librarian. After 30 years of public service, Kathy retired in December 1999. In 1975, Kathy met Michael (Mike) LaRoy Wood through a mutual friend while she was living in Riggs Park, MD. On March 7, 1976, Mike and Kathy married. Shortly after marriage, Mike and Kathy purchased a home in District Heights, MD, where Kathy lived for over 45 years until her passing. God blessed their union with two children, March Wood and Nikki Wood. Mike and Kathy were dedicated to each other for almost 50 years and had an unwavering love. Kathy was a dedicated wife and mother who always put her family first and instilled the importance of family togetherness, integrity, and achieving academic excellence. Kathy was an avid reader who loved to learn about the world, spirituality, astronomy, love, and life through books. When Kathy wasn’t reading, she also enjoyed watching golf, traveling with friends, shopping, and going to plays. She also played a critical role in helping others improve their reading comprehension skills while also introducing them to life through literature. Kathy would sit for hours with her granddaughter, reading books and helping her learn to write. Kathy was a true introvert, but always yearned to live life on her terms. Although Kathy was quiet, she would always speak up to advocate and support what she believed in. Kathy is also the only person to ever call her husband “Michael” instead of “Mike”. Some of her most memorable moments included traveling with her close friend June Sweeney and going abroad with family to places such as Greece, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and London. Kathy was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, and loyal friend. She passed peacefully on Sunday, April 6th, at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. She will be remembered for her beauty, wisdom, passion for learning, and caring nature. She cherished the days when she could read a good book, watch golf, and spend time with her family. She leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy: her devoted husband, Michael L. Wood; her adoring daughter, Nikki N. Wood; her loving granddaughter, Jordan K. Robinson; and a host of cousins, other loving relatives, and dedicated friends. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Pope Funeral Homes - Forestville Chapel 5538 Marlboro Pike Forestville MD 20747 Visitation to begin at 10:00 am Service to follow at 11:00 am.

Kathleen A. Wood

December 27, 1946 - April 6, 2025